At the start of August, the NZIX team descended, once again, upon the Longroom in Auckland to host this year’s Annual General Meeting. The event was held as a hybrid meeting and we were delighted to see how many Members were able to attend via Zoom and in-person.
With a quorum comfortably met, and the minutes of the previous AGM accepted, Committee Chair, Dave Mill, welcomed everyone and commenced with the Chair’s Report. He outlined the agenda for the meeting, including some commentary on the change in rules being brought about by the New Societies Act, which is covered in more detail later.
He also outlined further changes to the society’s structure, with IAA stepping back from two, to just one seat, on the NZIX Committee from this year forward. This was an inevitable progression, as the NZIX matures and grows.
Our Treasurer Chris Browning was up next, reporting on the 2023/24 financial year. The NZIX remains in good financial order with $772k cash on hand and $363k profit before depreciation (up from $219k last year), giving a net profit of $255k for the year and an equity of $807k. We continue to operate with no loans or other debt. Our Auditor, Laura Addinall (LACA Limited), reported no significant findings or concerns, and the Financial Statements were approved and adopted.
Chris went on to outline the financial plans for the year, including the newly launched NZIX website, new NZ compute stack, Christchurch 40/100G ports and the business as usual of refreshing our technology to keep pace with Members’ needs. We also have budget for a new PoP and are on the lookout for a suitable location.
Peering engineer Matthew Kobayashi gave this year’s technical report, breaking down each IX and reporting on trends. We’re pleased to conclude that NZIX is in good shape with the number of peers holding steady and peak traffic increasing across the board, but most notably on the AKL-IX up to 705Gbit/s.
Another significant update was the work being done behind the scenes to upgrade the NZIX Portal. The new Portal is now live with a new payment gateway for automated recurring payments and improved network automation, for faster, more streamlined service delivery.
The Secretary’s Report, delivered by Jocelyn Bateman, provided an overview of our Membership which has seen a growth rate of 5.77% since 2022. Jocelyn highlighted the improvements made to our MSA urging Members to move across to the updated version, a move made easier by our updated Member Portal. New service orders will require accepting the new MSA, unless Members have a custom MSA, so if you have any questions feel free to reach out to us.
On the policy front, the NZIX Committee have been busy. In the last 12 months, NZIX reviewed its Peering Services Schedule, Acceptable Use Policy & Privacy Policy, with no changes made. An internal Risk Management plan has been put in place guided by previous audit recommendations and an Asset Management Policy was produced and approved. All of our policy documents can be found on the redesigned NZIX website’s document library.
This year an election proceeded for the NZIX Committee with three, four-year terms being available and one two-year term. We would like to congratulate Dave Mill, Chris Browning who renominated and will continue to take their seats as Chair and Treasurer, moving forward. We also welcome Shaun Fisher and Callum Barr taking up the remaining four-year term and two-year term respectively.
Thanks also to all nominees. The society cannot operate without skilled Members willing to volunteer their time to be a part of this organisation.
The meeting concluded with Dave and Jocelyn explaining changes being made to the NZIX Constitution. These changes have been triggered by the new Incorporated Societies Act. The New Act requires existing incorporated societies re-register under that Act by April 2026. If an existing society does not re-register by this deadline, it will cease to be ‘incorporated’ and will no longer have the benefits of incorporation. In such a case, the society’s Officers and Members will become personally liable for the obligations of the society.
The motion to register NZIX under the Incorporated Societies Act and update our Constitution was carried. The changes to our Constitution have now been adopted and you can find the latest version on our website’s document library.
Following the meeting, everyone at the Longroom enjoyed drinks and nibbles and it was a great opportunity for Members to catch-up and network. Thanks to all who were able to attend virtually and in-person. Member engagement is an important element of the NZIX.
Welcoming Shaun Fisher to the NZIX Committee
We are excited to welcome Shaun Fisher to the NZIX Committee. Shaun brings over 15 years of experience in the New Zealand telecommunications industry. As the founder and operator of Vetta Online, Shaun has played a pivotal role in shaping the local ISP landscape.
His extensive knowledge and experience extend beyond his company, as he also serves on various boards, including the Internet Service Providers Association of NZ and the Registrar Advisory Group at the Domain Name Commission.
Shaun’s journey in the industry has equipped him with a deep understanding of both operational and technical challenges, providing him with a comprehensive view of the New Zealand telecommunications ecosystem. Based in Timaru, Shaun has successfully led projects that include widespread connectivity solutions, enterprise software implementations, and digital transformation initiatives. His approach focuses on creating and implementing strategies that drive growth, sustainability, and a user-friendly experience.
We are confident that Shaun’s expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission at NZIX, as we support and protect the interests of the internet community in New Zealand.
Welcoming Callum Barr to the NZIX Committee
We are pleased to welcome Callum Barr to the NZIX Committee. Callum brings over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Callum has been a steadfast advocate for a free and open internet, consistently working to advance accessibility, innovation, and fairness in the digital landscape.
Callum’s approach is rooted in transparency, innovation, and accountability, qualities that have earned him widespread respect and trust among his peers.
As Principal Network Architect at Devoli, Callum plays a critical role in managing an International Data Network with a focus on quality, reliability, and performance.
Callum’s extensive career is marked by his strategic vision and deep understanding of the complexities within the telecommunications sector. His leadership and commitment to the industry have made him a key influencer, with his work impacting not only his immediate professional environment but also the broader digital community in New Zealand.
We believe that Callum’s extensive knowledge and dedication will greatly enhance NZIX’s efforts as we continue to shape the future of New Zealand’s internet infrastructure.
