New Zealand Angling & Casting Association (Inc)
50th. Annual General Meeting
Minutes of the 50th. Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association (Inc) held in the New Plymouth Sportfishing & Underwater Club Clubrooms, Ocean View Parade, New Plymouth on Wednesday 21st. March 2007 commencing at 1.30pm.
Present :- Mike Stempa (Chair), G.Smeal (Junior Vice President), J.Mikoz (Honorary Vice President), Dick Lash (Immediate Past President), Bob Guy (Past President), Messrs Sam Benjamin & Brian Palmer (Life Members/Past Presidents), Betty Edwards, Nick Polak, Kevin Pulman, Mark Roberts, Brent Rolston and Janine Slater (Executive Members) Graeme Dawber (National Secretary), Representatives and Delegates from Bethells Casters & Angling Club, Feilding Surfcasting Club, Kawerau Angling & Casting Club, New Plymouth Club – Fishing Adjunct, New Plymouth Surfcasting Club, Ninety Mile Beach Surfcasting Club, Oakura Surfcasting & Kayak Fishing Club, Opotiki Surf Fishing Club, Pania Surfcasting Club, Rotorua Fishing & Casting Club, Stroke Survivors Fishing Club, Wellington Surfcasting & Angling Club, Whakatane Surfcasting Club and representatives from the Australian Anglers Association.
Apologies :- Bill Cronin (Senior Vice President), Jim O’Brien (IGFA International Committee), John Jones & Barry Smith (Executive Members), Bruce Alvey (Australia).
The Apologies were sustained (D.Lash/S.Benjamin)
The Chair commenced the meeting by welcoming everyone with special welcome to the representatives from Australia. Thanks were also expressed to the Nationals Organising Committee and the New Plymouth Surfcasting Club for hosting the 2007 Nationals.
Motion “That those Delegates present and identified are accepted as Delegates from their respective Clubs, and the Proxy/Postal Voting Papers received by the Secretary be accepted as the indications from those Clubs as their voting preferences” G.Smeal/B.Palmer - carried
Motion “That the two Life Members, S.Benjamin and B.Palmer, be the Scruitineers” M.Stempa/B.Guy – carried
The Scruitineers were then instructed to leave the meeting and count the Postal Votes received.
The Minutes of the 49th. Annual General Meeting held in Napier on 16th.March 2006 were taken as read (B.Rolston/P.Mahood) - carried
There were no matters arising.
Mike Stempa then read his Presidents Report for the year ending 31st.December 2006.
Brief discussion – Special thanks to Graeme Dawber expressed for his work throughout the year and in the production of the 50th. Booklet. Bob Guy highlighted the importance of historians and the keeping of records as it was at such times as 50th. Anniversaries that the endeavours of such came to the fore. He recommended to all clubs to ensure that this aspect of club activity was well catered for.
M.Stempa moved his Report for adoption/Kath Riri - carried. Report to form part of these Minutes.
Graeme Dawber then read his National Secretaries Annual Report, for the year ending 31st.December 2007, and moved for its adoption/D.Lash – carried by acclamation. Report to form part of these Minutes.
The National Secretary then tabled and spoke to the Annual Audited Accounts for the year ending 31st. December 2007. There was no discussion. G.Dawber/M.Frost – carried. The Financial Report and accompanying notes to form part of these Minutes.
Kevin Pulman then spoke to his Annual Report as the Line Tester. Highlighted the fact very few line tests were being carried out. The National Secretary drew the meetings attention to the new Record Recognition Application Forms and to encourage anglers, especially Juniors, to complete Applications for any reasonable catch.
K.Pulman moved his Report for adoption/D.Lash – carried
The NZ Recreational Fishing Council Report as prepared by Bill Cronin was tabled by G.Dawber who spoke to matters concerning the NZRFC. Highlighted the support given to the NZRFC by the NZACA. The Kahawai Legal Challenge and the Shared Fisheries Discussion Papers debate updated. Also the involvement of Bill Cronin with the Council.
Moved for adoption G.Dawber/K.Riri - carried
A verbal Casting Report was given by Dick Lash who spoke of the increased involvement in the Postal Casting and that Janine Slater was taking over more of the task of Casting Convener.
The Members Manual Report was given by Brian Palmer in role as Manuals Distribution Officer.
Dick Lash offered the suggestion that if there were Manuals held by clubs, or by clubs who were no longer Financial Members of the Association, that they be returned and recycled. Also suggested that may be useful to have the Manual available on disk and Mark Frost offered his expertise in converting the present MSPublisher format to one more readily accessible. Nick Polak suggested it would be good if it was available on a website, to which the Secretary commented that this had already been discussed with the NZACA site webmaster and just awaiting action by them. Regular updates of records are currently sent to the webmaster for publication.
Brian tabled his report for adoption/P.Mahood - carried
Sam Benjamin tabled his Annual Report on Australian Affairs and highlighted the next AAA Nationals which are being held in South Australia in 21st. March to 3rd.April 2009 to which a number had already indicated their interest in attending. Also said that it was hoped a number of Australians will be over next year for our own Nationals hosted by the Ninety Mile Beach Club.
Sam’s comments were echoed and reinforced by the National Secretary who also tabled the results of this year AAA Carnival recently held in Phillip Island, Victoria. Graeme also highlighted the success Ray McIntyre had, who was representing NZ, at these Nationals.
The Report was adopted S.Benjamin/B.Guy
The Scruitineers then tabled the results of their counting.
President Mike Stempa
Senior Vice President Bill Cronin
Junior Vice President Greg Smeal
Honorary Vice President Jim Mikoz
Executive Committee Betty Edwards Stewart Hogg
John Jones Nick Polak
Kevin Pulman Mark Roberts
Brent Rolston Janine Slater
Club Representatives Joanne Cook Barry Smith
Jessie Vulitich Anne Morgan
Special thanks to the two new representatives on the committee from the Auckland Lady Anglers Club. The meeting was told that Joanne Cook was possibly not going to take up her position this year but the Executive were awaiting written advice from her to confirm this. If so this would create one vacancy on the committee.
“That the Membership Fees for the 2007/2008 year remain unchanged”- carried
“That Mr John Webby be reappointed as Auditor with a vote of thanks for his generosity in undertaking this task for so little in return” - carried
The Secretary spoke to the work of the Auditor for the Association and the very small charge John Webby required.
“Nationals Hosts - 2008 – Ninety Mile Beach Surfcasting Club and 2009 - Executive as Nationals hosts be confirmed” - carried
Greg Smeal spoke briefly to the plans and thoughts of why and how the Executive would possibly run the Nationals in 2009 and thoughts were to base these on the Coromandel.
Motion “THAT the three line classes; 6kg, 10kg, & 15kg line classes; are reinstated to the NZACA Nationals”
WSAC/B.Rolston
J.Mikoz spoke on behalf of the movers. Nationals attract top anglers, not novices, therefore skill important and use of light line, being rewarded in the point’s structure, important in ascertaining top anglers.
P.Mahood (NPSC) – all line classes important not grouped into three divisions
J.Parahi (Pania) –anyone can now fish the Nationals. No longer just open to top people from each club. Therefore more open line structure better
G.Jones (Whakatane)– believer in light line and encouragement should be given to use such
D.Edgecombe (Oakura)– most in Oakura used about 8kg line. Anybody can fish Nationals so open line better.
M.Frost (Rotorua) – Open line class – let angler decide what is best for conditions
S.Hogg (Bethells) – more a case of actually finding fish these days than deciding what line to use. Therefore open line class.
B.Guy (Ninety Mile) – About 8kg used in far north but in favour of light line encouragement
G.Smeal (Kawerau) – New system has not even been trialed as yet so needs to be given a chance to see how it works before changing again.
S.Benjamin (Stroke) – encourages the use of 6kg line.
The motion was put to the vote (including Postal results) – lost
Motion “THAT Clause 13(a) of the Constitution be changed to read that the Annual General meeting shall be held in a central location during the months of July or August each year but no later than the 15th.September; and that this change be effective from 2009” Kawerau A & C.C/M.Frost
The National Secretary back grounded the purpose of the motion and the reasons for the change. These included the difficulties in communicating with clubs over Xmas period, the advantage of having club officials at an AGM rather than competitive Delegates, more time would allow deeper discussion and maybe “workshop sessions” and have a more “convention” type meeting. A central location maybe would attract better representation (as was shown in a Special Ordinary Meeting held couple of years back) rather than tied to locations where Nationals were held. Give more time at Nationals say for second casting day etc., and allow for Nationals to be held in locations where facilities for an AGM may not be readily available.
N.Polak (WSAC) – asked about the implications for the financial year. When held at Nationals there was a “captive” audience. Wondered if attendance would drop off if held away from the Nationals.
M.Frost (Rotorua) – If Xmas break poses problems for the AGM maybe change the Nationals dates
J.Parahi (Pania) – personally loves coming to Nationals and makes it part of annual holidays. Part of the attraction of the Nationals was the AGM. Couldn’t guarantee to come to AGM if held at different time. Those attending as Delegates come hopefully with the backing & support of their clubs even though they may not be club officials, and their input important.
The motion was put to the vote (including Postal results) – lost
The motion concerning the Financial Year was not put due to the AGM Motion being lost
Motion “THAT the Voting Papers be destroyed” (D.Lash/S.Benjamin) – carried
General Business
- Kayaks
D.Edgecombe of the Oakura Surfcasting & Kayak Fishing Club introduced the subject and spoke of the positives which had incurred since kayak section was introduced to their club, both in terms of membership and club spirit and activities. Important that the NZACA do all it can to embrace this new form of fishing and encourage kayakers to become involved. Need to be accommodated at Nationals.
Questions asked as to what are the rules we need to be looking at, and are they to be considered a separate section to the boats. Association looking to those with kayak experience to give guidelines.
Possibly over 10,000 kayak fishers in the country and we need to “capture” that group rather then them setting up national organisation over their own... Unfortunately endeavours by the Executive to date to open dialogue with kayak people have come to naught.
Suggested would be good if there was a kayak person on the Executive. (noting there may be a vacancy)
Meeting was told of the reasons for only using one boat ramp at these Nationals but this would not necessarily be the case in 2008 or beyond.
Executive instructed to take this matter further.
- Kites & torpedoes
Bob Guy (Ninety Mile) raised the issue of long liners using kites and torpedoes etc. with a limit of 25 hooks bringing in more than daily quota of certain species. Although the regulations state excess should be returned to the water, dead or alive, he doubts if this is the case. Suggested the matter be raised with appropriate authorities.
3. Top Club – Casting Section
Question raised regarding the possible manipulation which could occur with the new point’s formulae for determining which is the Top Club in the Casting. Some minor sections could be loaded with competitors so as to just gain a placing no matter the quality of the cast, and that placing go towards the top Club calculations.
Meeting thanked A.Dodd for raising this issue and as this was the first year of the new system the different scenarios would be looked at when doing the calculations.
- IGFA Line
The Chair read a letter from A.Dodd of the New Plymouth Club Fishing Adjunct regarding confusions and issues regarding the rule bought in this year concerning the use of IGFA line.
NPSC pointed out that this was not their rule but one stipulated by the Executive. The Constitution gives the right for the Executive to set rules for the likes of the Nationals.
Rule introduced so as to give “even playing” field for all competitors as at last years Nationals a line used later proved to break well over manufacturers labeled breaking strain. Rule being used for first time so really a trial run and will be up for discussion again after the event.
Discussion on IGFA rated lines and not IGFA possible endorsement or recommendation any particular brand of line –which they do not do.
For a brand to put the IGFA logo or words on their line they must guarantee that that line will break within certain parameters. This means people using such line can have the assurance of the breaking strain as stated.
Difficulty of course is the policing of the rule and competitor honesty must come in to this. However there will be random testing done and competitors will need to have proof of lines used. Hopefully no one will need to be disqualified.
Suggested that maybe the NZACA could test a number of brands themselves and publish the results. Work in with importers and manufacturers regarding this. Establish a database.
A.Dodd suggested that there were possibly a number of competitors who were not aware of the rule. The Chair reminded that clubs have known about this rule since last April and has been made well known.
The meeting was then addressed by Bob Guy, President of the Ninety Mile Beach Club regarding the 2008 Nationals.
The dates are from 16th. To 19th.April and at this stage will be based at The Park, although this is under possible change of ownership but hopefully all will work in our favour.
The first day whilst including the AGM will also included “workshops” for competitors to learn more about fishing the area, access across private land (which is available etc). These workshops should be a real benefit to competitors and give all a very even chance of success.
The fishing area is large and includes both coasts. A number of options for boat launching and some good areas for kayaks. Boats are the responsibility of competitors.
Lines down time, which will need to involve the honesty of the competitors, will be such that traveling time does not cut into fishing time. There will be no night fishing. Fishing will be on the Thursday & Friday
Casting will be held on the Saturday but a lot will depend on weather and ground conditions, because as there are no suitable recreational fields a farm property will probably need to be used which brings in fencing difficulties. Whilst Ninety Mile club have some keen casters and support casting in the NZACA there is a need to understand the difficulties the club faces in this aspect of the competition.
Prize giving dinner will be at the Kaitaia Community Centre.
A number of invitation packs have gone across to Australia and were given out at their recent Nationals. It is hoped that there may be a good contingent from there as it is there in-between year for their national comps.
Bob extended the invitation to all to join with them in 2008.
At 3.40pm the Chair declared the meeting closed expressing his thanks for the worthwhile discussions and contributions and wished all competitors the very best in the days to come.
After the AGM, Phil Mahood, President of the New Plymouth Surfcasting Club, welcomed everyone and went on with matters concerning the coming competitions. | 
