Shareholder Meetings Guide

JULY 2018

www.simpsongrierson.com

Contents

Introduction ...... 1 Overview ...... 2 When Meetings Must Be Held ...... 3 Law of Meetings ...... 4 Requirements At The Start ...... 5 Role Of The Chairperson ...... 7 Voting ...... 8 Behaviour At The Meeting ...... 10 After The Meeting...... 11 Schedule A: Script For Opening The Meeting ...... 12 Schedule B: Example Ground Rules ...... 14 Schedule C: Generally Accepted Meeting Procedures ...... 15

Introduction

This guide introduces you to the law of shareholder meetings in New Zealand. The SIMPSON GRIERSON information in this guide is in summary form, Simpson Grierson is one of New Zealand's and is intended as an introductory guide only. leading commercial law firms, and also one of The information is accurate as at July 2018, the largest. We have over 330 staff, including and will be updated regularly. 50 partners and more than 180 legal staff, in our Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch This is a general guide only and is not to be offices. relied upon. Detailed advice should be obtained to cover a specific fact situation. We are a full-service law firm and are proud of our reputation for providing expert, yet If you would like help with your shareholder practical, advice across all areas of commercial meeting issue in New Zealand, please liaise law. We are a "plain English" firm. with your usual Simpson Grierson contact or one of the following: We have excellent international connections. We are New Zealand's only member of Lex

Mundi, the world's leading association of Michael Pollard Head of Department, independent law firms. We are a co-founder Corporate & Commercial of the Pacific Rim Advisory Council. Our DDI: +64 9 977 5432 partners include members of the International Mobile: +64 21 400 852 Bar Association and the Inter-Pacific Bar [email protected] Association.

Our website is at www.simpsongrierson.com.