During the past year we’ve seen a name change to our Society.
The 2025 AGM was held on 13th July. During this AGM a resolution to dissolve the Brightwater Horticultural Society Inc was tabled, voted on by members present and unanimously passed. The move to dissolve the BHS Inc was brought about due to the rewriting of the NZ Incorporated Societies Act.
The new Act came into effect on 5 October 2023 with a deadline to re-register by April 5th 2026. The new Act rules would have meant extra work load on our Officers.
Following the 2025 AGM I sought legal advice to ensure that we were acting correctly. All was good and Two Special General Meetings were advertised for 2nd November 2025.
Two resolutions were tabled at the first meeting:
These two resolutions were voted on by Members present and passed unanimously.
On the same day, 2nd November 2025, the second Special General Meeting took place where our Patron Mr Arch Crerar tabled a resolution:
The next step entailed our Secretary Wendy, Treasurer Lisa and myself, acting as newly elected bank signatories, visiting our Bank. There we went about transferring our BHS Inc. bank funds to a new account named Brightwater Horticultural Society.
Our BHS Inc. then had no assets or debts and I could now apply to the Registrar of Incorporated Societies to dissolve our BHS Inc., first formed in 1953.
A statement on the Incorporated Societies website by Scott Coogan, Assistant Registrar of Incorporated Societies, dated 4th December 2025, read that he was satisfied the Brightwater Horticultural Society Inc. was no longer operating.
You will see on the AGM Agenda (19/7/26) the topic:
Update of the Brightwater Horticultural Society Constitution.
I’ve been working on a new Constitution for our BHS. A draft copy of a new Constitution will be presented at the AGM. Our Management Committee have all received a copy of this and, once approved, our new BHS Constitution will be added onto our website.
The new Constitution will give direction to present members and to those involved in the future. Hopefully it will contribute to the smooth running of the Society.
During the past year we’ve held two very successful shows.
With another early Spring, the September Show benches were well stocked with cut flowers and daffodils. The Floral Art section has become a big part of our shows and we appreciate the support given to us by the Waimea Floral Art Group.
Our dahlia tuber sales were again very popular. Thanks to all who donated tubers. Because of the worldwide dahlia craze the Summer Show produced a record amount of dahlia blooms on show. It was also good to see a collection of Gladiola gracing the benches. The cut flowers, pot plants, roses and veges completed the Summer Show nicely. You may have notice we have added cash prizes to the Cut Flowers and Floral Art Classes.
With Wendy and Lisa in charge the kitchen continues to run very smoothly.
Megan has full control in juggling the stall bookings, the stalls are a nice draw card to our shows.
The last three years have shown us the power of the world wide web. Our Website Manager Rhonda Crerar has put our Society out to the world, thanks Rhonda.
A big thanks to all who contribute to our Shows, those who are there to set up, break down our shows, door persons, kitchen helpers and most importantly thanks to all exhibitors.
Because of the cost and the mess with using moss when staging we are moving to using paper. To begin with paper towels will be supplied by our Society but in the future exhibitors will hopefully bring their own.
The BHS moves forward in a financially stable position but we should be mindful that our big earner ‘dahlia tuber sales’ may not be the same in the future and I’m sure costs to continue running the Society will increase.
We look forward to our September Show. Thank you to all Members for your past and continued Support.
Mike Smith
President, BHS.