About OCNZ
The Orchid Council of New Zealand is a federation of independent, autonomous, orchid societies throughout New Zealand. It is a registered incorporated society, and it is also a registered charity. The principal objectives of OCNZ include:
- Promoting and encouraging the study, cultivation and conservation of orchids
- Giving information and education about orchid culture
- Advancing the development of orchid growing as a recreational activity for young and old
- Maintaining procedures and standards for judging and awarding superior forms of orchid species and hybrids and superior culture of orchid plants
- Promoting national and international orchid conferences and exhibitions
- Promoting the conservation of New Zealand native orchids
- Acting as a Heritage Protection Authority in respect of the Iwitahi native orchid reserve.
Certain OCNZ annual reports are available under the NEWS tab above.
For newcomers, a general outline of growing orchids in New Zealand may be found here. It is highly recommended that newcomers join an orchid society or club for support and guidance, as well as for access to a wide range of plants. A list of societies affiliated to OCNZ may be found here. More detailed information about growing orchids may be found under the Cultural Notes tab above.
OCNZ Associate Membership
If you don’t have an local orchid society in your area, you can become an Associate Member of the OCNZ. For an annual fee of $20 an Associate will receive a printed Yearbook and monthly e-mail newsletters. Payment to be made to the Secretary, OCNZ.
Incorporated Societies Act Review: What you need to know
If your orchid society is an incorporated society you are probably already aware that the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 is being repealed and replaced with a new Act. This information is from the MBIE website: The new legislation modernises the rules governing New Zealand’s incorporated societies for the first time since 1908. The new 2022 Act provides for the repeal of the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 (the 1908 Act) 2½ years after the 2022 Act fully comes into force. During this transition period, the 2 statutes exist in parallel.
Registering and re-registering under the new legislation
New societies wanting to incorporate from 5 October 2023 must do so under the 2022 Act. Existing societies registered under the 1908 Act will not be subject to the new legislation until they re-register under the 2022 Act. If an existing society does not re-register during the transition period of October 5, 2023 to April 5, 2026, it will cease to be incorporated. This means existing societies will become subject to the new rules at the time of their choosing during the transition period. Read more here. The new legislation will require Incorporated Societies to review and revise their constitution and to re-register. The NZ Companies Office has a helpful Constitution Builder tool to help you get started.
Supporters of Orchids 2025 (Yearbook)
Please click on the logo or link to visit the relevant websites.
