UniMed Rules Review

UniMed Rules Review

We’ve reached the next step in our review of the Rules of UniMed, which was highlighted at the AGM last year, and through our HealthChat e-newsletters. 

It is important to note that the proposed changes will not affect Members’ health insurance benefits or cover.  

What's changing?

We’ve put together an information pack to help you understand what’s proposed. This document includes: 

• A summary of the key proposed changes and what this means for you 
• Information about the Special General Meeting (SGM) to vote on the proposed Rules 
• A comparison document showing the differences between the current Rules and the proposed Rules 

Read information pack

Read full copy of proposed Rules

Thank you for sharing your feedback

We shared the proposed changes with you in April and invited feedback, including holding a Member webinar. The feedback period has now closed and as a result of Member feedback, updates have been made to the proposed Rules. 

Section of the Rules	Feedback received from Members and updates made as a result
3. Purpose of the Society	Concerns were raised around removal of the words ‘co-operative’. The ‘co-operative’ wording has been added back in.
5. Membership	Clarification was sought around voting rights for Members who hold more than one qualifying policy. The wording has been updated to clarify that regardless of the number of qualifying policies held, a Member only holds one member share and therefore can only cast one vote on a resolution at a meeting.
14. Voting at General Meetings	A concern was raised about the change in threshold for a vote recount from 5 to 10 members. The threshold has been changed back to 5 members.
16. Composition of the Board and 18. Election of the Board	Concerns were raised about the minimum Elected Director representation (i.e. “no fewer than 3”) seeming to be a ‘cap’. The wording in sections 16 and 18 has been updated to make it clear that the minimum of three Elected Directors is not a cap and that there is a clear procedure for the election of additional Directors. The minimum of 3 is designed to ensure Elected Director representation is protected. It does not preclude the Board seeking more than 3.
19. Resignation and Disqualification	Concerns were raised about the change in threshold for Director disqualification from two-thirds to a majority. The threshold has been changed back to two-thirds.
20. Proceedings of the Board	Concerns were raised about the threshold for passing a written resolution and that there wasn’t a minimum number of Elected Directors required for a quorum. Both the quorum and written resolution rules have been amended to include at least one Elected Director.
J. Profits	There was a concern raised about the use of the term ‘profits’ instead of ‘surplus’. Changed all references to ‘profits’ to ‘surplus’ to be consistent with the wording in 30.1.

What’s next?

You're invited to the SGM

UniMed will hold an SGM, where we will ask Members to vote on approving and adopting the proposed Rules.

Resolution: That Members of Union Medical Benefits Society (UniMed) approve and adopt the revised and updated Rules of UniMed

Date: Thursday 28 May 2026

Time: 6pm 

Location: Online via Microsoft Teams or in person at the UniMed office, Level 3, 165 Gloucester St, Christchurch 

Please let us know if you are attending in-person or online by confirming your attendance preference and Membership/Policy Number.

Any UniMed Member aged 16 or older may vote by attending the SGM (either in person or online) or by proxy. The proxy form can be filled in online or printed out and posted back to us. 

Under our current Rules, the resolution must be passed by a two thirds majority of Members who vote at the SGM.

RSVP for the SGM 

Fill in proxy form

What are the Rules?

The Rules of UniMed are an important document – they guide how we operate and are governed. 

Why are we reviewing 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, have 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.