GMT Transitions to new NZX listing rules
Level 2, 18 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland | PO Box 90940, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142
Tel +64 9 375 6060 | www.goodman.com/nz
nzx release+
GMT Transitions to new NZX listing rules
Date
6 May 2019
Release
Immediate
Goodman (NZ) Limited, the Manager of Goodman Property Trust (“GMT”) is pleased
to advise that it intends to comply with the NZX Listing Rules dated 1 January 2019
from 15 May 2019.
The Manager has applied to NZX for a designation that GMT be an equity security and
NZX has designated GMT an equity security.
Keith Smith, Chairman of the Manager said, “The Board has always sought to maintain a
contemporary governance structure for GMT incorporating many of the requirements of a
listed company into its Trust Deed. Electing to be an issuer of equity securities under the
new listing rules continues this approach and ensures Unitholders benefit from the added
governance it provides.”
Given GMT’s external management structure NZX has granted certain waivers to facilitate
GMT being designated an equity security. These are included as an attachment to this
announcement.
For further information please contact:
John Dakin Andy Eakin
Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
Goodman (NZ) Limited Goodman (NZ) Limited
(09) 375 6063 (09) 375 6077
(021) 321 541 (021) 305 316
Keith Smith
Chairman and Independent Director
Goodman (NZ) Limited
(021) 920 659
About Goodman Property Trust:
GMT is an externally managed unit trust, listed on the NZX. It has a market capitalisation of around $2.2 billion, ranking it in the
top 20 of all listed investment vehicles. The Manager of the Trust is a subsidiary of the ASX listed Goodman Group, Goodman
Group is also the Trust’s largest investor with a cornerstone unitholding of 21%.
GMT is New Zealand’s leading industrial space provider. It has a substantial property portfolio, with a value of $2.6 billion. The
Trust holds an investment grade credit rating of BBB from Standard & Poor’s.
---
NZX Regulation Decision
Goodman Property Trust (“GMT”)
Approval to List as an Issuer of Equity Securities under
NZX Listing Rule 1.1.2
Ruling on GMT’s Governing Document
Application for Waivers and Rulings from NZX Listing
Rules - 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7, 2.8, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.20(1)(a)(i)
and 4.2.2
6 May 2019
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 2 of 16
Background
1. The approval from NZX Regulation (
NZXR
) for the ruling and waivers set out in the
decisions below:
a. will not apply if the information provided by GMT is not, or ceases to be, full and
accurate in all material respects; and
b. takes effect after GMT’s transition to the 1 January 2019 NZX Listing Rules (the
Rules
)
has occurred.
2. Capitalised terms which have not been defined in these decisions have the meaning given
to them in the Rules.
3. The information on which this decision is based is set out in Appendix One to this decision.
This waiver will not apply if that information is not or ceases to be full and accurate in all
material respects.
4. The Rules to which these decisions relate are set out in Appendix Two to this decision.
Approval to List as an Issuer of Equity Securities
under NZX Listing Rule 1.1.2
Decision
5. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material
respects, NZXR:
a. approves the Listing of GMT as an Issuer of Equity Securities under the Rules; and
b. rules that Units are Equity Securities under the Rules.
Reasons
6. In coming to the decision to approve the listing and provide the ruling set out in paragraph 5,
NZXR has considered that:
a. the reason why GMT is concerned to ensure that the Units be treated as Equity
Securities is to enable GMT to continue to operate to the same standard of governance
and to maintain the current level of investor protections that holders of GMT Units (the
Unitholders
) currently have under the 1 October 2017 NZX Main Board and Debt
Market Listing Rules (the
old Rules
); and
b. Rule 1.1.2 was included as a pragmatic solution for Issuers where Listing as an Issuer of
Equity Securities would be preferable to being automatically Listed as an Issuer of Fund
Securities. Due to GMT’s historical listing status under the old Rules, it is appropriate for
NZXR to approve this listing to assist GMT in ensuring it maintains the same level of
protection for Unitholders as is currently in place.
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 3 of 16
Ruling in relation to GMT’s Governing Document
Decision
7. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material
respects, NZXR rules that GMT’s Trust Deed (the
Trust Deed
) is GMT’s sole Governing
Document under the Rules.
8. This Ruling in paragraph 7 is conditional on the Trust Deed complying with the Rule
requirements, as modified by any rulings and waivers granted by NZXR.
Reasons
9. In coming to the decision in paragraph 7, NZXR has considered that by confirming GMT as
an Issuer of Equity Securities, both the Trust Deed and the Manager's constitution could be
considered Governing Documents of GMT based on the definition of Governing Document
in the Rules. Accordingly, NZXR considers it is appropriate to clarify that the Trust Deed is
GMT’s sole Governing Document.
Waivers from Listing Rules 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7 and 2.8
Decision
10. Subject to the condition in paragraph 11 below, and on the basis that the information
provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material respects, NZXR grants GMT a waiver
from various governance requirements in Rules 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7 and 2.8 to the extent that
these rules would apply to GMT’s non-Independent Directors.
11. The waiver contained in paragraph 10 is conditional on:
a. GMT complying with Rules 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7 and 2.8 in respect of the Manager’s
Independent Directors; and
b. GMT having a Non Standard (
NS
) designation in accordance with Rule 1.18.1.
Reasons
12. In coming to the decision to provide the waivers set out in paragraph 10 above, NZXR has
considered that:
a. Rules 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7, and 2.8 relate to, and set out, processes to be followed by
Issuers of Equity Securities in receiving nominations and the appointment and duration
of that appointment of a Director. As GMT is a managed investment scheme (
MIS
),
these Rules are not readily applicable to GMT’s governance structure;
b. the effect of the waivers are that, in respect of the Manager's Independent Directors,
GMT would comply with Rules 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7 and 2.8, while, in respect of the
Manager's non-Independent Directors, these Rules would not apply. This is consistent
with how the Board of the Manager is currently governed;
c. it is appropriate to apply a NS designation to GMT because GMT would be a unique
Issuer with Units quoted as Equity Securities under the Rules. Unitholders have a
significant interest in the governance of GMT and GMT will be subject to different Rules
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 4 of 16
to other Issuers of Equity Securities and other Issuers of Fund Securities. Accordingly,
an NS designation would flag these non-standard provisions to the market to ensure
investors are aware of GMT’s unique governance structure;
d. GMT has submitted, and NZXR has no reason not to accept that:
i. as GMT is a MIS, the appointment of Directors is not a matter for Unitholders, but
rather the Manager's shareholders in accordance with the Manager's constitution.
There is no direct right under the old Rules (or under the requirements that apply to
Fund Securities in the Rules) for Unitholders to control the composition of the board
of Directors of the Manager; and
ii. the rights of Unitholders, in the event that they are dissatisfied with the management
of GMT, are documented in the Trust Deed, which includes provisions for the
removal of the Manager in particular situations, including mismanagement of GMT
by the Manager; and
e. GMT has previously been granted waivers from some of the equivalent provisions in the
old Rules in an NZXR decision dated 21 April 2005, and GMT’s governance and
operating structures have not materially changed.
Waiver from Listing Rule 2.10
Decision
13. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material
respects, NZXR grants GMT a waiver from Rule 2.10. The waiver applies to the extent that
Directors of the Manager are “interested” (as defined by Rule 2.10.1) solely due to being a
Director of the Manager, in transactions which the Manager is entering for the purposes of
the day-to-day management of GMT.
14. The waiver granted in paragraph 13 is conditional upon any Director abstaining from voting
on any transactions entered into by the Manager on behalf of GMT with another entity in
respect of which the Director would be otherwise “interested”.
Reasons
15. In coming to the decision to provide the waiver set out in paragraph 13 above, NZXR has
considered:
a. the unique operating and management make-up of a MIS would potentially result in
every director of a management company being deemed to be “interested” in virtually
every decision relating to the investment of the MIS funds given the relationship between
the management company, the MIS and unitholders, with such directors therefore
unable to vote on these decisions;
b. Rule 2.10 does not apply to Issuers of Fund Securities (as per Rule 1.5.1); and
c. GMT has previously been granted a waiver from the equivalent provision in the old
Rules in an NZXR decision dated 21 April 2005, and GMT’s governance and operating
structures have not materially changed.
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 5 of 16
Waivers from Listing Rules 2.11 and 2.12
Decision
16. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material
respects, NZXR grants GMT waivers from Rules 2.11 and 2.12.
17. The waivers in paragraph 16 are granted on the following conditions:
a. All of the Manager’s Directors’ remuneration is paid directly from the income of the
Manager;
b. The income of GMT cannot directly be applied in satisfaction of Directors’ remuneration;
and
c. The Manager discloses in its annual report the income it has earned in respect of its
management of GMT for the prior financial year.
Reasons
18. In coming to the decision to provide the waivers set out in paragraph 16 above, NZXR has
considered that it is appropriate to grant the waivers because:
a. the remuneration of the Directors of the Manager is paid out of the fees the Manager is
entitled to in relation to its role as manager of GMT under the Trust Deed, which has
been approved by Unitholders;
b. the level of remuneration paid to the Directors therefore does not have an impact on
Unitholders the way it would for a listed company. Accordingly, it is inappropriate for
Unitholders to approve this remuneration;
and
c. GMT has previously been granted waivers from the equivalent provision in the old Rules
in an NZXR decision dated 21 April 2005, and GMT’s governance and management
structures have not materially changed.
Waiver from Listing Rule 2.20.1(a)(i)
Decision
19. On the basis that the information provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material
respects, NZXR grants GMT a waiver from Rule 2.20.1(a)(i) to the extent that this rule
requires Rules 2.2.1 and 2.8.1 to be incorporated by reference into the Governing Document
of GMT.
Reasons
20. In coming to the decision to provide the waivers set out in paragraph 19 above, NZXR has
considered that:
a. compliance with Rule 2.20.1(a)(i) in the manner described in the Rule is unnecessary in
the circumstances as GMT has been granted a waiver from Rules 2.2.1 and 2.8.1;
b. by omitting Rules 2.2.1 and 2.8.1 from the Trust Deed, for which GMT has been granted
a waiver, GMT will be able to ensure there is consistency between the waivers granted
and the required contents of the Trust Deed; and
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 6 of 16
c. the policy behind Rule 2.20.1 will not be undermined by the granting of this waiver.
Waiver from Listing Rule 4.2.2
Decision
21. Subject to the conditions in paragraph 22 below, and on the basis that the information
provided to NZXR is full and accurate in all material respects, NZXR grants GMT a waiver
from Rule 4.2.2 permitting the issue of Units (on a perpetual basis) to the Manager (or its
nominee) as consideration for the Manager’s performance fee (
Performance Fee Units
)
under the terms of the Trust Deed, without the annual approval of Unitholders.
22. The waiver contained in paragraph 21 is granted on the following conditions:
a. Any Performance Fee Units would be issued to the Manager in accordance with the
terms of the Trust Deed, as approved by Unitholders at GMT's annual meeting on
2 August 2011;
b. The terms and effect of this waiver are disclosed in any Offering Document distributed or
registered in respect of an offer of Units during the period in which this waiver is relied
upon; and
c. The number and price of Performance Fee Units issued to the Manager is disclosed in
each annual report during the period in which those Units are issued.
Reasons
23. In coming to the decision to provide the waiver set out in paragraph 21 above, NZXR has
considered that:
a. Rule 4.2.2 prevents an Issuer obtaining approval to issue Equity Securities too far in
advance of the issue of those Financial Products. The policy considerations behind this
restriction include:
i. ensuring that the holders of Equity Securities who are affected by the issue of new
Equity Securities are the same security holders who voted on the resolution to
authorise the issue; and
ii. seeking to ensure that the issue of Equity Securities occurs within such a timeframe
as to, as far as possible, increase the likelihood that the circumstances of the Issuer
have not materially changed from those which existed at the time approval was
considered and obtained;
b. Unitholders have previously approved the Trust Deed, including the performance fee
provisions, and the issue of Performance Fee Units under the terms of the Trust Deed;
c. GMT has submitted, and NZXR has no reason not to accept:
i. GMT’s management fee arrangements, as contained in the Trust Deed and
approved by Unitholders, are firmly established and should be understood by
Unitholders;
ii. In an ordinary resolution at GMT's annual meeting on 2 August 2011, the Unitholders
approved the issue of Performance Fee Units to the Manager, on a perpetual basis,
under the management fee provisions of the Trust Deed;
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 7 of 16
iii. As GMT is required to annually publish the performance fee paid to the Manager,
and will be required to include the number and price of any Performance Fee Units
issued in each annual report, potential investors in GMT will have an opportunity to
consider, and should be familiar with, the terms and implications of GMT’s
management fee arrangements; and
iv. requiring separate approval on an annual basis would result in unnecessary
compliance costs for GMT and would be of no additional benefit to Unitholders.
d. GMT has previously been granted waivers from the equivalent provision in the old Rules
in an NZXR decision dated 18 October 2010. One of these waivers was conditional on
GMT seeking Unitholder approval, which Unitholders provided on 2 August 2011; and
e. GMT’s governance and management fee structures have not materially changed.
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 8 of 16
Appendix One
Background
1. Goodman Property Trust (
GMT
) is a Listed Issuer with ordinary units (
Units
) quoted on the
NZX Main Board. GMT is a managed investment scheme (
MIS
) established under a trust
deed dated 23 April 1999 (as amended) (the
Trust Deed
).
2. The manager of GMT is Goodman (NZ) Limited (the
Manager
) which is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the ASX-listed Goodman Group, which also holds a 21% cornerstone
Unitholding in GMT. GMT’s supervisor is Covenant Trustee Services Limited.
3. GMT is regulated under Part 4 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (the
FMC Act
).
In the 1 January 2019 Listing Rules (the
Rules
), as the Units issued by the Manager/GMT
are a managed investment product for the purposes of the Financial Markets Conduct Act
2013 (the
FMC Act
), Units fall within the definition of Fund Security. Accordingly, absent a
Ruling from NZX, GMT would be considered an Issuer of Fund Securities.
Application for ruling to deem Units as Equity Securities, and to List as an Issuer of
Equity Securities
4. Due to the creation of a specific regime for MIS in the Rules, certain requirements that
apply to Issuers of Equity Securities would no longer apply to GMT if it were to transition to
the Rules as an Issuer of Fund Securities.
5. GMT wishes to continue to offer its investors the same level of protection currently afforded
to them under the 1 October 2017 NZX Main Board and Debt Market Listing Rules (the
old
Rules
).
6. Accordingly, GMT has sought a declaration from NZXR that Units be deemed as Equity
Securities, and approval to List as an Issuer of Equity Securities under Rule 1.1.2.
Application for ruling in relation to GMT’s Governing Document
7. Subject to GMT receiving NZXR’s approval to list as an Issuer of Equity Securities, there is
potential for both GMT’s Trust Deed and the Manager’s constitution to be considered
Governing Documents based on limbs (a) and (d) of the definition of Governing Document
in the Rules.
8. As such, there may be unintended consequences such as the requirement for the
Manager’s constitution to incorporate certain provisions from the Rules that are
inappropriate given GMT’s structure.
9. GMT has therefore sought clarification that, for the purposes of the Rules, GMT’s
Governing Document means only the Trust Deed.
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 9 of 16
Application for waivers from various governance requirements in NZX Listing Rules
10. Due to the structure of GMT, certain governance requirements in the Rules that apply to
Issuers of Equity Securities either cannot apply to GMT, or would create adverse effects.
Listing Rules 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7 and 2.8 – Appointment, Nomination, Rotation and Removal
of Directors
11. Rules 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7, and 2.8 relate to the appointment of an Issuer’s Directors and set
out processes to be followed by Issuers in receiving nominations and the appointment, and
duration of that appointment of a Director.
12. As GMT is a MIS, the Directors of the Manager are not appointed by holders of Units
(
Unitholders
), but rather the Manager's shareholder in accordance with the Manager's
constitution. There is no direct right under the Rules (for Issuers of Fund Securities) for
Unitholders to appoint Directors.
13. Notwithstanding this, the Trust Deed currently places certain governance requirements
(mirroring the old Rules) on the Manager that relate to, among other things, the
appointment, nomination and removal of Independent Directors, and Board composition.
14. In order to simplify the contents of the Trust Deed, while maintaining similar governance
requirements relating to its Independent Directors, GMT has applied for waivers from the
following Rules that apply to Equity Security Issuers, to the extent these rules would apply
to GMT’s non-Independent Directors:
a. 2.2 – Appointment of Directors;
b. 2.3 – Director Nominations and Appointment;
c. 2.4 – Equity Holder appointment rights;
d. 2.7 – Rotation of Directors; and
e. 2.8 – Removal of Directors.
15. While these waivers apply to GMT’s non-Independent Directors, these Rules will apply to
GMT’s Independent Directors.
16. GMT’s Trust Deed requires the Manager to ensure it has no less than three Directors and
no more than seven Directors. The Trust Deed provides that the Manager must ensure that
the majority of its Directors are Independent Directors. However, if there is no longer a
majority of Independent Directors as a result of an Independent Director ceasing to be a
Director of the Manager, this is not a breach of the Trust Deed so long as non-compliance
continues for no more than six months and the minimum number of Independent Directors
is two.
17. Rule 2.1.1 requires that at least two Directors must be Independent.
Listing Rule 2.10 – Interested Directors
18. Rule 2.10 provides that a Director must not vote on a Board resolution for, or be counted in
a quorum for the consideration of, any matter in which that Director is interested. The term
“interested” bears the meaning assigned in section 139 of the Companies Act 1993.
19. As GMT's structure as a MIS means that, if the reference to the "company" in section 139
of the Companies Act 1993 is read as being a reference to GMT, the Directors of the
Manager will be "interested" (for the purposes of Rule 2.10) in all transactions that are
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 10 of 16
entered into in relation to the day to day operations of GMT, such Directors would therefore
be unable to vote on these transactions.
20. The prior NZXR decision dated 21 April 2005 granted GMT a waiver from the equivalent
provision (old Rule 3.4.3).
21. NZXR considered that it was appropriate to grant the waiver from old Rule 3.4.3 as it
recognised the unique operating and management make-up of unit trusts which would
potentially result in every director of a management company being deemed to be
“interested” in virtually every decision relating to the investment of the unit trust funds given
the relationship between the management company, the unit trust and Unitholders.
22. This understanding is reflected in the fact that Rule 2.10 does not apply to issuers of Fund
Securities (as per Rule 1.5.1).
23. There has been no substantive policy change between Rule 2.10 and old Rule 3.4.3.
24. This waiver decision re-documents the prior waiver decision to reflect the updated Rule
references and language.
Listing Rules 2.11 and 2.12 – Directors’ Remuneration
25. Rules 2.11 and 2.12 provide that Issuers must recommend Directors’ remuneration to
shareholders for approval.
26. The remuneration of GMT’s Directors is paid out of the fees the Manager is entitled to in
relation to its role as manager of GMT pursuant to the Trust Deed, which has already been
approved by Unitholders. The level of remuneration paid to the Directors therefore does
not have an impact on Unitholders the way it would for a listed company. It is therefore
inappropriate for Unitholders to approve this remuneration
27. The prior NZXR decision dated 21 April 2005 granted GMT a waiver from the equivalent
provision (old Rule 3.5). NZXR considered it was appropriate to grant the waiver because
the remuneration of the Manager’s Directors is paid out of the income from the Manager
and not directly from the income of GMT or the GMT fund. Therefore, how much of this
income is applied in Directors’ fees is a matter for the Manager.
28. There has been no substantive policy change between Rules 2.11 and 2.12 and old Rule
3.5.
29. This waiver decision re-documents the prior waiver decision to reflect the updated Rule
references and language.
Listing Rule 2.20.1 (a)(i)
30. Rule 2.20.1(a)(i) requires an Issuer to incorporate various Rules in Part 2 by reference into
its Governing Document.
31. On the basis of NZXR granting the waivers sought in paragraph 16, Rules 2.2.1 and 2.8.1
would not apply to GMT. Accordingly, compliance with Rule 2.20.1(a)(i) would be
unnecessary in the circumstances.
32. GMT has therefore sought a waiver from Rule 2.20.1(a)(i) to the extent this rule requires
Rules 2.2.1 and 2.8.1 to be incorporated by reference into the Trust Deed.
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 11 of 16
Application for waiver from Listing Rule 4.2.2
33. Rule 4.2.1 prevents an Issuer, except in certain qualified situations, from issuing Equity
Securities unless the precise terms and conditions of the proposed issue have first been
approved by each Class of Quoted Equity Securities of the Issuer whose rights and or
entitlements could be affected by that issue, and that issue is completed within the time
frame specified in Rule 4.2.2.
34. Rule 4.2.2 requires that any issue authorised by resolutions passed under Rule 4.2.1 must
be completed within 12 months after the passing of those resolutions.
35. On 18 October 2010, NZXR granted GMT a waiver from old Rule 7.3.2 (the equivalent
provision of updated Rule 4.2.2), permitting the issue of Units (on a perpetual basis) to the
Manager as consideration for the Manager's performance fee (
Performance Fee Units
),
without the annual approval of Unitholders. This waiver was granted on the basis that any
Performance Fee Units would be issued to the Manager in accordance with the terms of the
Trust Deed and the approval of Unitholders.
36. This waiver was granted on the conditions that:
a. the terms and effect of the waiver are disclosed in each Offer Document distributed or
registered in respect of an offer of Units during the period in which the waiver is relied
upon; and
b. the number and price of Units issued as consideration for the Manager's performance
fee is disclosed in each annual report during the period in which those Units are issued.
37. GMT sought unitholder approval to issue the Performance Fee Units on a perpetual basis
at a general meeting held on 2 August 2011. The notice of meeting for this meeting was
sent on 15 July 2011.
38. There has been no substantive policy change between Rule 4.2.2 and old Rule 7.3.2.
39. This waiver decision re-documents the prior waiver decision to reflect the updated Rule
references and language.
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 12 of 16
Appendix Two
Definitions Equity Security
has the meaning given in sections 8(2) and 8(5) of the FMC Act and also
includes a Right, subject to NZX's sole discretion to declare, by way of a Ruling,
a Financial Product to be, or not to be, an Equity Security (and includes any Fund
Security deemed to be an Equity Security under Rule 1.1.2)
Fund Security
means a “managed investment product” as defined in sections 8(3) and 8(5) of
the FMC Act in relation to a Managed Investment Scheme, subject to NZX's sole
discretion to declare, by way of a Ruling, a Financial Product to be, or not to be,
a Fund Security.
Governing Document
means:
(a) in the case of an Issuer of Equity Securities, its constitution, articles of
association or other constituent documents,
(b) in the case of an Issuer of Debt Securities, a trust deed or the one or
more deeds, agreements, or instruments that constitute those Debt
Securities,
(c) in the case of a Managed Investment Scheme constituted as a trust, the
one or more trust deeds that constitutes the scheme, or
(d) in the case of any other Managed Investment Scheme where (c) does not
apply, the one or more deeds, agreements, or instruments that constitute
or govern the scheme,
and including (in each case) any amendments to a document referred to
in paragraph (a) to (d).
Rule 1.1.2 Eligibility for Listing as an Issuer of Equity Securities and Quotation of
Equity Securities
The Manager of a Managed Investment Scheme may apply to List as an Issuer
of Equity Securities, and to have the Financial Products of the Managed
Investment Scheme Quoted as Equity Securities, rather than as Fund Securities.
If NZX accepts such an application, the Financial Products will be deemed to be
Equity Securities and not Fund Securities, and the Rules (including Appendix 3)
will apply accordingly.
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 13 of 16
Rule 1.18 Non-standard Listings
An Issuer, or applicant for Listing, which does not comply fully with all applicable
Rules may be Listed, at NZX's sole discretion, with the designation “Non-
Standard” or “NS”. Such an Issuer must ensure that any advertisement (as that
term is defined in section 6(1) of the FMC Act), Offer Document, Profile or
statement for distribution which refers in any way to the Listing or to the
Quotation of the Financial Products, and all annual reports of that Issuer, state
prominently:
(a) that the Issuer has a Non-Standard designation, and
(b) where it is desirable, taking into account the context and the relevance of
the information to the recipients, the reasons for the Non-Standard
designation.
Rule 2.2 Appointment of Directors
A person may be appointed as a Director of the Issuer by:
(a) appointment by the Board, if permitted by the Governing Document of the
Issuer,
(b) nomination and appointment at an Issuer's annual or special meeting of
Equity Security holders in accordance with Rule 2.3,
(c) appointment by an Equity Security holder, as contemplated in Rule 2.4, or
(d) appointment as an alternate Director under Rule 2.5.
In the Rules, a person is an Associated Person of another person if the first
person is associated with the other in terms of Rule 1.8.2 to Rule 1.8.7.
Rule 2.3 Director Nominations and Appointment
2.3.1 No person (other than a Director retiring at the meeting) may be elected as a
Director at a meeting of an Issuer's Equity Security holders unless that person
has been nominated by an Equity Security holder who will be entitled to attend
and Vote at the meeting if he, she or it continues to hold Equity Securities on the
date on which the entitlement to attend and Vote at the meeting is determined.
2.3.2 An Issuer must comply with the following Director nomination process:
(a) the closing date for nominations must be no more than two months before
the date of the relevant meeting at which the election is to take place,
(b) the closing date for nominations must be announced to the market at
least 10 Business Days prior to such closing date,
(c) there must be no restriction on who may be nominated as a Director,
unless:
NZX REGULATION DECISION – 6 May 2019 14 of 16
(i) the Governing Document requires Directors to hold certain
Financial Products to qualify as a Director, or
(ii) applicable legislation restricts who may be a Director of the Issuer,
(d) subject to (c) above, there must be no precondition to the nomination of a
Director other than compliance with the time limits in this Rule, and
(e) details of all nominations received prior to the closing date (and not later
withdrawn) must be included in the notice of the relevant meeting.
2.3.3 Each resolution of the holders of Equity Securities to appoint, elect or re-elect a
Director must be for the appointment, election or re-election of one Director only
Rule 2.4 Equity Holder appointment rights
2.4.1 The Governing Document may give an Equity Security holder the right to appoint
one or more Directors (and to remove any Director so appointed), provided:
(a) the appointment does not result in the proportion of such Directors to the
total number of Directors (excluding alternate Directors) exceeding the
proportion of total Votes attaching to the Equity Securities in the Issuer
held by the appointer, and
(b) if the appointer exercises its right to appoint one or more Directors with
such Director remaining in office at the time of the election of other
Directors, the appointer must not also Vote upon the election of other
Directors.
Rule 2.7 Rotation of Directors
2.7.1 A Director of an Issuer must not hold office (without re-election) past the third
annual meeting following the Director's appointment or 3 years, whichever is
longer. However, a Director appointed by the Board must not hold office (without
re-election) past the next annual meeting following the Director's appointment.
2.7.2 Rule 2.7.1 does not apply to Directors appointed by an Equity Security holder
under Rule 2.4.
Rule 2.8 Removal of Directors
2.8.1 All Directors (other than a Director appointed by an Equity Security holder
under Rule 2.4) must be subject to removal from office by Ordinary Resolution.
Rule 2.10 Interested Directors
2.10.1 A Director must not vote on a Board resolution for, or be counted in a quorum for
the consideration of, any matter in which that Director is interested. For this
purpose, the term “interested” bears the meaning assigned in section 139 of the
Companies Act 1993. If the Issuer is not a company registered under that Act,
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the reference to the “company” in that section will be read as a reference to the
Issuer.
2.10.2 Notwithstanding Rule 2.10.1, a Director of an Issuer incorporated under the
Companies Act 1993 may vote on a Board resolution for, and be counted in a
quorum for the consideration of, a matter in which that Director has an interest, if
the matter:
(a) is one in respect of which Directors are expressly required under that Act
to sign a certificate, or
(b) relates to the grant of indemnity under section 162 of that Act.
Rule 2.11 Directors' Remuneration
2.11.1 No remuneration may be paid by an Issuer, or its Subsidiaries (unless such
Subsidiary is Listed), to a Director in his or her capacity as a Director without
prior authorisation by an Ordinary Resolution. Such resolution must express
Directors' remuneration as either a monetary sum per annum payable to:
(a) all Directors of the Issuer in aggregate, or
(b) any person who from time to time holds office as a Director of the Issuer.
2.11.2 A resolution for the purposes of Rule 2.11.1:
(a) must only be approved if notice of the amount of any increase in
remuneration has been given in the notice of meeting, and
(b) may provide that the remuneration may, in whole or in part, be through an
issue of Equity Securities, provided the issue is in compliance with
Rule 4.7.
2.11.3 If remuneration is expressed in accordance with Rule 2.11.1(a) and there is an
increase in the number of Directors from the number when the remuneration was
approved by an Ordinary Resolution, the Board may, without an Ordinary
Resolution, increase the remuneration payable to all Directors of the Issuer in
aggregate. The amount of the increase per additional Director may not exceed
the amount necessary to enable the additional Director or Directors to be paid
the average amount then being paid to each non-Executive Director (other than
the chairperson) of the Issuer.
2.11.4 A lump sum payment or pension may be made to a Director or former Director, or
to his or her dependents, on retirement or cessation of office provided that the
amount of the payment, or the method of calculation, has been authorised by an
Ordinary Resolution.
2.11.5 The resolutions referred to in this Rule 2.11 are subject to the voting restrictions
in Rule 6.3.
Rule 2.12 Directors' Remuneration as Employees or in another capacity
2.12.1 Nothing in Rule 2.11 affects:
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(a) the remuneration of Executive Directors in their capacity as Employees,
or
(b) the amount paid to an Executive Director upon or in connection with the
termination of his or her employment with the Issuer, or any payments
relating to the contribution (or any normal subsidy related thereto) made
by a Director to a superannuation scheme.
2.12.2 A Director's remuneration for work outside his or her capacity as a Director of the
Issuer or a Subsidiary may be approved by the Directors without Shareholder
approval, subject to Rule 5.2 (if applicable).
2.20 Content of Governing Document for Issuers of Equity Securities
2.20.1 The Governing Document of each Issuer of Quoted Equity Securities must:
(a) incorporate by reference provisions consistent with, and having the same
effect as, the following provisions, as modified by any Ruling relevant to
the Issuer:
(i) Rule 2.1.1, Rule 2.2.1, Rule 2.5.1, Rule 2.8.1, Rule 2.9.1, Rule 2.10.1
and Rule 2.10.2,
Rule 4.2 Shareholder approval for Issues by Ordinary Resolution
4.2.2 An issue of Equity Securities authorised under Rule 4.2.1 must be completed
within:
(a) 36 months after the passing of those resolutions, if the issue is restricted
to Employees, and
(b) 12 months after the passing of those resolutions in all other
circumstances,
otherwise the issue cannot occur until further approval is obtained under Rule
4.2.1.
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