Spark NZ trials virtual annual meeting in ANZ first

Spark New Zealand is trialling a virtual meeting for its 40,000 shareholders via an online platform, in a move the company says is a first for a listed company in New Zealand or Australia.

Park's annual meeting will be held in Auckland on 6 November 2015, and shareholders involved in the virtual annual meeting trial will join shareholders physically present at the meeting. All participants will be able to view the presentations of directors and management, vote on the resolutions and ask questions via the internet from their own computer.

"As New Zealand's leading digital services company, we've been keen to take the lead in bringing new 'Digital First' capabilities to expand the reach and relevance of our communications with investors," says Spark New Zealand chairman Mark Verbiest.

"With more than 41,000 shareholders located around New Zealand and overseas, the virtual annual meeting trial gives an opportunity for many more of our shareholders to engage with the company's directors and management, and actively participate in the formal annual meeting," he explains.

The virtual annual meeting trial is being run in association with share registry Link Market Services.