The last annual meeting of the Tamaki Estuary Protection Society in Auckland ended in uproar with chairman Patrick O’Meara and his allies walking out. Those remaining voted in a new executive. The High Court ordered a new meeting.
Meanwhile the Society’s bank account remains frozen. Patrick O’Meara and secretary Denny Thompson were ordered to hand to a lawyer for safekeeping all Society records in their possession. The Society last filed financial statements in 2008, recording $75,400 in its bank accounts.
Tamaki Estuary was formed in the 1970s with the aim of improving aquatic life in and around the waterway. Its last annual meeting was called in September 2017 by notice in the NZ Herald and on the Society’s website. There was no quorum. A new meeting was fixed for the following month. Described as a ‘fiery meeting’ there were arguments about alleged ‘vetting’ of members, refusals to allow a vote by those paying membership fees on the day and the content of the meeting agenda. Comments by Mr O’Meara, in the chair, that the current executive remained in office because advance notice had not been given of any new nominations led to an uproar. He walked out. Those remaining voted in a new executive committee. Stalemate followed.
Justice Edwards ruled notice of the disputed meeting failed to accurately specify what was on the agenda and what procedure was required for nomination to the executive committee. Neither the ‘old’ committee, nor the ‘new’ committee was validly elected. A new election was ordered.
re Tamaki Estuary Protection Society – High Court (29.05.19)
19.103