Good governance is fundamental to ensuring UniMed delivers sustainable value for its Members and meets its legal and regulatory obligations as a licenced Insurer. As a Member-owned organisation, UniMed’s governance framework supports prudent decision-making, effective oversight and ensures the long-term interests of the Society and its Members are protected.
At the heart of this framework are the Rules of UniMed, which is the Society’s constitutional and primary governance document. The Rules establish how UniMed is governed, defines the rights and responsibilities of Members and sets out the powers, duties and governance arrangements of the Board.
Governance Documents
Audit & Risk Committee Charter Board Charter Governance Statement Investment Committee Charter People & Culture Committee Charter Director Remuneration & Expenses Policy Rules of UniMed 2026Governance
The Board
The Board is responsible for the overall direction, governance and oversight of the Society. The Board establishes strategy, monitors organisational performance, oversees risk management and ensures appropriate governance policies and frameworks are in place. The UniMed Board is comprised of directors elected by Members and directors appointed by the Board in accordance with the Rules of UniMed.
Board of Directors
Information about UniMed’s current Board of Directors, including director profiles, can be found on Our People page.
Board Committees
The Board is supported by specialist committees that provide additional oversight in key areas:
- Audit & Risk Committee (ARC)
- People & Culture Committee (PCC)
- Investment Committee
These committees assist the Board in carrying out its governance responsibilities while accountability remains with the Board.
Governance Documents
UniMed has established a suite of key governance documents which operate within the framework established by the Rules. The governance documents available on this page provide transparency about how governance supports the Society’s purpose of helping New Zealanders and their whãnau stay in lifelong good health.
- Rules of UniMed – The Society's constitutional and primary governance document.
- Governance Statement – Sets out the key governance principles, practices and supporting documents that guide how UniMed is governed.
- Board Charter – Outlines the role, responsibilities, composition and operating principles of the Board.
- Audit & Risk Committee Charter – Describes the Committee’s role in supporting the Board’s oversight of financial reporting, audit, risk management, compliance and internal controls.
- People & Culture Committee Charter – Describes the Committee’s role in supporting the Board’s oversight of people, culture, remuneration and related governance matters.
- Investment Committee Charter – Describes the Committee’s role in supporting the Board’s oversight of UniMed’s investment strategy, performance and related risks.
- Director Remuneration & Expense Policy – Outlines the approach taken to determine Director remuneration and the reimbursement of reasonable expenses.
Annual Reports and AGM
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2026
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Union Medical Benefits Society Limited (UniMed) will be held at 6pm on Thursday 19 November 2026. Members will be able to attend in person at UniMed’s office, 165 Gloucester Street, Christchurch or online via Microsoft Teams. If a Member is unable to attend, they may appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf.
RSVP your attendance
If you wish to attend in-person or online, please confirm your attendance preference and Membership number via email to secretary@unimed.co.nz by 6pm on Wednesday 18 November 2026. A Microsoft Teams link will be sent in advance of the meeting for those attending online.
Agenda
- Welcome and Apologies
- UniMed Board Chair and CEO Report
- Resolution: Approve 2025 AGM minutes
- Annual Report and audited financial statements
- Reappointment of Auditor
- Resolution: Approve board remuneration
- Election of two Elected Directors
- General Business
You can read more about voting, agenda items and candidate information for the two vacant elected Director positions in the Notice of Meeting.
Previous Annual General Meetings
UniMed Rules Review
The revised and updated Rules of UniMed were approved and adopted unanimously by Members at our Special General Meeting held on 28 May 2026.
The Rules were then registered with the Registrar of Industrial and Provident Societies and approved on 31 July 2026.
It is important to note that the updated Rules will not affect Members’ health insurance benefits or cover.
What are the Rules?
The Rules of UniMed are an important document – they guide how we operate and are governed.
Important Documents
Rules of UniMed 2026Why did we review the Rules?
The last review of our Rules was in 2012. Since then, the market and regulatory environment for health insurers have changed significantly, which was further highlighted in a thematic review of governance by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) and the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) in 2022.
- As a result, our Board and our solicitors, Simpson Grierson, completed a comprehensive review of the Rules to ensure that they:
- Are compliant with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations – both existing and coming in the near term.
- Are reflective of best practice governance guidance and practice outlined in the RBNZ’s and FMA’s governance thematic review.
- Balance the historic kaupapa (purpose) of UniMed as a membership organisation with the need to implement UniMed’s current and long-term strategy, and act in accordance with all its financial services licensing requirements.
- Are fit for purpose, and suitable in the context of the present-day operating and regulatory environment.
- Are easily understandable and use plain English.