INTRODUCTION

The EEA is nearing the end of a two-year transformation journey to make it future-fit to lead our electricity supply industry (ESI) today and into the future. One of the key elements of this transformation is improving our EEA membership offering, to better serve our growing industry. These changes are detailed in Part 1 of this document.

We’re also taking the opportunity to modernise administrative matters in our Constitution to improve its consistency and clarity. These changes are in Part 2.

For those interested in the full detail, the current Constitution (2021) and tracked changes are available in the Members only area of our website. There is no proposal to change the Objects of our Association or the overall structure of our Constitution.

At the end of this document, we’ve listed the three questions on which we’d like your feedback. Feedback will be considered and reflected in the formal notice of proposed change sent to members six weeks before the 2026 Annual General Meeting, on 9 September 2026.
PART 1 — PROPOSED CHANGES TO MEMBERSHIP
1. BACKGROUND

As our industry grows, a wider set of electricity participants need what the EEA offers: standardisation, industry connection, and knowledge sharing. However, our current membership model has not fully kept pace with the sector’s changing shape, and it limits our ability to reach all parts of our industry, connecting the system.

The changes proposed in this document make EEA membership more accessible and inclusive, embrace occupational diversity and welcome contributions across the sector. These changes will help attract talent to our industry, retain industry expert engagement, and encourage and reward contribution throughout the career cycle.

By growing EEA membership, we increase the EEA’s voice and influence as we continue to champion the values of technical best practice, standardisation and consistency, and whole of system approach.

2. PROPOSED MEMBERSHIP CHANGES

To modernise EEA membership, making it clearer, more accessible, equitable, and inclusive, we propose to:

SECTION A Consolidate full and associate members into one ‘Individual Member’ category

SECTION B Make individual membership available to anyone involved in the ESI

SECTION C Expand student membership eligibility beyond just engineering students

SECTION D Create a new Alumni/Mātanga membership category for our senior workers

SECTION E Clarify corporate membership eligibility, and

SECTION F Include a new mechanism to limit the risk of block voter dominance
Section A. Consolidating Full and Associate Members into One ‘Individual Member’ Category

We propose to combine the “Full” and “Associate” member categories into one new “Individual Member” category.

Currently, individual membership is split into ‘full’ and ‘associate’ categories based on qualifications and role, with only full members can vote or stand for office. This proposal addresses feedback that a distinction suggesting that some qualifications and roles carry higher status than others is no longer appropriate and causes confusion.

Occupational data from our Re-Energise 26 work also shows that removing this distinction will advance diversity and inclusion by raising the status of segments of our industry with greater proportions of youth, women, Māori, and Pasifika.

Proposed Changes
  • Delete the ‘full’ and ‘associate’ membership categories
  • Replace them with a single ‘Individual Member’ category (with Student/Ākonga, Alumni/Mātanga, and Life Members being sub-categories) [clause 7]
  • Confirm that all Individual Members have the right to vote [clause 8.1] and stand for office [clause 22], subject to specific limitations on students (see Section f)
Section B. Making Individual Membership Available to Anyone Involved in the ESI

We propose a new Individual Member definition that welcomes people working, studying, volunteering, or participating (or having previously participated) in the ESI. This clear, expansive approach is consistent with modern membership associations. It’s easier for potential members to understand, while enabling a more streamlined application process. The definition also advances diversity and inclusion by potentially including those on parental, disability or sick leave, in retirement, or volunteering.

This proposal addresses feedback that ambiguity about individual member eligibility is excluding many who could contribute to the EEA community, and its complexity results in an administratively demanding application process.

Proposed Change
  • New Individual Member category for natural persons who are working, studying, volunteering, participating (or having participated) in New Zealand’s ESI, and whose membership application has been approved by the Membership Approval Committee [clause 7.1].
Section C. Expanding Student Member Eligibility

We propose to widen eligibility to anyone enrolled in an ESI-related tertiary qualification. Renaming the category ‘Student/Ākonga Members’ reflects current educational language and our aspiration to be a modern and inclusive organisation.

Currently, student membership is restricted to those undertaking an Engineering NZ accredited course. EEA student membership has historically provided a valuable pipeline of talent into the industry. This proposal will help us attract the wider range of future talent that we need today; line mechanics and cable jointers, electrical technicians, AI and digital specialists, and those with commercial and project management skills.

Proposed Changes
  • Rename Student Members ‘Student/Ākonga Members’ [clause 7.4]
  • Replace the current definition with a new definition covering persons currently enrolled in ESI-related tertiary education or training and approved by the Membership Approval Committee [clause 7.4]
Section D. New Alumni/Mātanga Category for Older and Retired ESI Workers

We propose a new, complimentary membership sub-category that acknowledges the enormous skill and knowledge contributed by older and retired workers, keeps them engaged with us, and provides a means to explore knowledge transfer to the next generation.

The new Individual Member sub-category ‘Alumni/Mātanga Members’ will be for current or former Individual Members who are aged 65 or over or who are no longer in material gainful employment. The term Mātanga means skilled and respected expert and is recommended by our cultural advisors to acknowledge these members’ contribution and wisdom. In time, we plan to develop a range of services and participation opportunities for Alumni/Mātanga Members, including potentially an annual dinner, knowledge-transfer mechanisms, podcasts, or mentoring programmes.

Focusing our definition objectively on career stage rather than on expertise or contribution, avoids any confusion between Alumni/Mātanga, Life Members, or EEA award recipients.

Proposed Change
  • New Individual Member sub-category of Alumni/Mātanga Members, being persons who are current or former Individual Members, aged 65 or over or no longer in material gainful employment and approved by the Membership Approval Committee [clause 7.5].
Section E. Clarifying Corporate Membership Eligibility

We propose a new definition clarifying that corporate membership is available to any organisation operating within the ESI or with an interest in the EEA’s Objects. This could include non-body corporates, overseas entities, education and training bodies, or public sector entities.

The exception to this is entities whose membership would create a conflict of interest for them and us (such as industry regulators). This might be the case if their membership restricted the ability to openly share information or for the EEA to represent members’ views in submissions. Employees of these organisations could still apply for individual membership on a case-by-case basis.

These changes address a current lack of clarity for companies about their eligibility for membership.

Proposed Change
  • Replace the current definition of Corporate Member with a new definition covering persons who are a body corporate, company, or other organisation trading, practising, or with an interest in the Objects of the Association, and whose application has been approved by the Membership Approval Committee [clause 7.6].
  • Organisations whose membership would create a conflict of interest for both parties (such as public sector regulators) are excluded, but their employees may apply for Individual Membership. Disputes about conflicts of interest will be decided by the Executive Committee [clause 7.7].
Section F. Mechanism to Limit the Risk of Block Voter Dominance

Because the proposed changes will increase the numbers of members entitled to vote, it is advisable to include safeguards to offset the risk of voter dominance – particularly by Student/Ākonga Members or corporate member employees. Without safeguards, these groups could vote in unlimited numbers. To mitigate this risk, we propose:
  • Giving the Executive Committee power to set a maximum number of votes by corporate member employees and Students/Ākonga, recorded on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Adopting and maintaining a policy on how this cap is set, noting the corporate voting cap will reflect the corporate member’s tier (Large, Medium, or Small)
  • Giving the Executive Committee power to veto proposed motions where appropriate
  • Limiting Student/Ākonga Members to one elected Executive Committee representation (with no requirement for any)
  • Preventing Student/Ākonga Members from voting on a motion to liquidate the Association, and
  • Confirming that Life Members who are corporate member employees are exempt from the cap.
Proposed Changes
  • The Executive Committee has power to set a maximum number of votes by corporate member employees, and Students/Ākonga, in elections and general meetings [clause 8.2]
  • Life Members who are corporate member employees are not subject to the cap [clause 8.3(c)]
  • The Executive Committee must adopt and maintain a policy on how this cap is set [clause 8.5]
  • No more than one Student/Ākonga Member may be elected to the Executive Committee, and that there is no requirement for such a representative [clause 24]
  • The Executive Committee may veto motions that are contrary to the Objects, the good functioning of the Association, or that are frivolous [clause 29.10]
  • Student/Ākonga Members may not vote on a motion to liquidate the Association [clause 60]
3. OTHER RELATED MEMBERSHIP IMPROVEMENTS

We are also making other improvements that bring significant benefits and do not require Constitutional change:
  • Providing corporate members with unlimited complimentary individual memberships for any employees who choose to apply. This will provide more value to our corporate members, and more clarity to their employees about their membership entitlements.
  • Providing complimentary membership for all NZ ESI new entrants (including students) for their first two years. (Previously this was only available to engineering graduates.)
  • Simplifying the current six tiers of corporate membership tiers to three, with discretion to treat companies uniquely where compelling reasons require this (e.g when only a minor part of their business relates to the ESI).
  • Creating a new EEA Service Award recognising mid-career contributions to the industry.
These changes also help us make membership simpler, more accessible, improve communication, and attract talent to the EEA community and our industry.
PART 2 — CHANGES THAT IMPROVE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
1. Moving Membership Approvals to a Membership Approval Committee

The Constitution currently requires the Executive Committee to approve all membership applications. This adds significant time and is not a statutory requirement. A dedicated staff Membership Approval Committee could process most applications much more quickly.

Proposed Changes
  • Establishment of a new Membership Approval Committee with responsibility for membership applications [clauses 10 and 34]
  • The Membership Approval Committee may escalate applications to the Executive Committee [clause 12]
2. Modernising Language and Removing Outdated Processes

We intend to make a range of language updates that simplify and clarify the document without changing its substance. Key changes include updating titles: ‘Executive Committee’ becomes ‘Board, ‘Director’ becomes ‘Chief Executive’, ‘President’ becomes ‘Chair’, and ‘Vice President’ becomes ‘Deputy Chair’. We will also remove obsolete language and processes.

Proposed Change
  • Replace ‘shall’ with ‘will’ or ‘must’ throughout the document
  • Replace ‘Director’ with ‘Chief Executive’ throughout
  • Replace ‘Executive Committee’ with ‘Board throughout
  • Replace ‘President’ with ‘Chair’ and ‘Vice President’ with ‘Deputy Chair’ throughout
  • Remove membership category “Reciprocal Members” as this is not used or needed [clause 7.5]
  • Simplify language for the membership application, resignation, suspension, and termination processes [clauses 9, 13, 14, 19]
  • Remove the requirement for Executive Committee voting to be by show of hands [clause 28.5]
  • Simplify the language for calling a Special General Meeting [clause 36]
  • Remove the outdated requirement for the Association to have a Company Seal [clause 39]
  • Simplify the description of the Chief Executive’s responsibilities — instead of attempting to list all tasks (which change constantly), the Constitution will simply state that the Chief Executive administers the Association’s affairs in accordance with Executive Committee direction and Association policies and this Constitution [clauses 43–45]
  • Remove unnecessarily detailed dispute resolution procedures [clauses 53.9–53.11] — the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 requires dispute provisions but does not mandate exhaustive detail
3. Minor Clarifications

Our legal advisers identified minor clarifications needed to address inconsistencies and gaps. These include ensuring EEA staff can access the membership register when needed and making clear that indemnity insurance for officers and employees does not extend to paid consultants or contractors (this has always been the case but was not stated explicitly). This change does not impact standing committee members (or any volunteer) as they are not contractors.

We also propose to include the Deputy Chair election process in the Constitution, for greater member visibility.

Proposed Changes
  • Replace inconsistent references to ‘electricity industry’ and ‘electricity supply industry’ with ‘ESI’ throughout
  • Give EEA employees the power to access the membership register where necessary to conduct the affairs of the Association [clause 19.4]
  • Update the officer disqualification age limit from 18 to 16, as required by the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 [clause 25.1]
  • Include the process for electing the Deputy Chair in the Constitution — the Executive Committee will elect one of its members to this role at the first meeting following the AGM [clause 26.5]
  • Clarify that the EEA’s indemnity for officers, employees, or appointed persons does not extend to contractors [clause 54]
  • Define ‘employee’ and ‘staff’ [clause 62]
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK

This is your opportunity to give us feedback that we will reflect in the final notice to members released six weeks before the 9 September AGM.

We want to know from you:

Question Title

* 1. Do you support these changes?

Question Title

* 2. Is there anything you disagree with? (Please explain why.)

Question Title

* 3. Is there anything you think we’ve missed and should consider?

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