Hello, TUNZ members. TUNZ would like to update you on what is happening regarding the Taekwondo National Body. Below is the latest update regarding the New Zealand National Body – from our TUNZ representative(s) on the working group. As you can see, there has been progress. This is the situation as it stands at present – we will continue to keep you updated. If you have any questions, please get back in touch with me.
Kind regards – Joan Fountain (Secretary, Taekwondo Union of New Zealand)
National Body Update
As you may, or may not, be aware - the past 4 months have been busy as far as the National situation is concerned and a lot of work has been done behind the scenes.
A meeting of member organisations was held in Auckland in August from which a working group of 12 representatives was formed to address the fractured nature of Taekwondo in New Zealand which has been in this state for the past 3 years. The first area to address was creating a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between all member organisations that essentially provided a foundation for working together. After much discussion, this was signed by the following organisations;
- New Zealand Taekwondo Alliance
- Taekwondo Union of New Zealand
- New Zealand United Taekwondo Association
- Progressive Martial Arts
- Han Lee Taekwondo
- Independents
The only organisation to not sign the MOU was MUDO (this includes Heon Ma Um, Global Martials Arts and Daehan Taekwondo). As a result, 80% of the Taekwondo membership in New Zealand is consolidated. This is a very promising outcome.
A constitution was then drafted to encompass the consolidated member organisations with the goal of solidifying the collaboration between the parties under an incorporated society as a governing body.
Once again a lot of discussion led to a final draft being approved by the working group. An application was then submitted to the companies office to incorporate a society.
Due to the past 3 years of dysfunction at the national governing body level, Taekwondo New Zealand Incorporated as an incorporated society had been dissolved by the companies office for not complying with their reporting regulations. In submitting an application to the companies office, the name Taekwondo New Zealand Incorporated was available to be incorporated. Therefore, please find attached from the New Zealand Companies Office, the Certificate of Incorporation for Taekwondo New Zealand Incorporated – our consolidated member organisations and our constitution are now legally recognised as Taekwondo New Zealand Incorporated. Although this is a welcomed outcome, the working group is prepared for the companies office to amend any decision they make, which has been the case previously. For the moment, we can be satisfied that we have achieved this result.
Sport New Zealand, New Zealand Olympic Committee and World Taekwondo have been informed of the above and a request for recognition has been made to each of them. Taekwondo New Zealand will now be under ‘new management’ moving forward and the previous administration will no longer represent Taekwondo New Zealand and will be required to cease doing so immediately.
The next steps will be to formalise the election process for the executive and operational roles with the intention to hold elections in 2 weeks’ time.
