22 March 2018

Gold Line Taxi Co-Op: Deep v. Auckland Gold Line Co-Operative Taxi Society

Auckland Gold Line Co-Operative Taxi Society successfully tendered for a taxi rank at Auckland Airport in March 2013. Current and former members of the Gold Line Co-Op allege Manmohan Dua has improperly seized control and is targeting former directors and drivers.  There are allegations of Co-Op rules not being followed and of drivers being improperly excluded from the airport rank.    
Disgruntled members and former members of the Auckland Gold Line Co-Operative Taxi Society Ltd allege that new directors have been appointed without Co-Op rules being followed, that member meetings required by law have not been held, that financial reports have not been provided, and that individual drivers are being refused access to the airport rank without being given a proper chance to argue their case.  Management is alleged to have acted improperly by transferring Gold Line’s business to a subsidiary, shutting out members.
The High Court was told Mr Dua left Gold Line in 2013 for a competitor.  He attempted to buy back-in during 2015, but his application was denied.  He became a director of Gold Line the following year after a new board of directors was appointed.  Mr Dua has been acting as if he were managing director, disgruntled drivers and former directors complain.  They allege he was not validly appointed according to Co-Op rules.  Gold Line is registered as a co-operative under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act.
Justice Moore heard preliminary legal argument in the High Court.  Disgruntled members have agreed to reformulate their legal claim.  Their request to take possession of the Co-Op’s membership records and board meeting records was refused.  They expressed concern these documents would be falsified if left in the possession of current management.
Deep v. Auckland Gold Line Co-Operative Taxi Society – High Court (22.03.18)
18.062