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View/Open - Research Commons - The University of Waikato

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important for directors to build long-term and trusting relationships with these other<br />

stakeholders in order to secure the long term success <strong>of</strong> the company.<br />

<strong>The</strong> duty under the section nevertheless does not create any rights for the persons<br />

listed, other than the shareholders and the company, to bring action for breach <strong>of</strong> the<br />

provisions. <strong>The</strong> law still operates within the confines <strong>of</strong> fiduciary duty, namely duty<br />

to act in the interests <strong>of</strong> the company. Section 172 only requires directors to consider<br />

their wider role in discharging their duty to act in good faith for the interests <strong>of</strong> the<br />

company.<br />

Directors are obliged to consider the interests <strong>of</strong> other stakeholders under the Act but<br />

this does not mean they have to include every interest in the decision-making. <strong>The</strong><br />

paramount duty is still to the long term success <strong>of</strong> the company and not to any other<br />

parties. <strong>The</strong> section, in fact, may be used by directors as defence against claims by<br />

shareholders for breach <strong>of</strong> duty. Directors can argue if shareholders take action that<br />

the action taken is made after considering the interest <strong>of</strong> other stakeholders and in<br />

their honest belief it is for the benefit <strong>of</strong> the company.<br />

6.3.1 Creditors<br />

<strong>The</strong> duty to consider the interests <strong>of</strong> creditors is not a new concept and has been<br />

accepted by courts in situations where a company‟s financial stability is in doubt. 65<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is voluminous literature both for and against the duty to consider the interests<br />

(d) the impact <strong>of</strong> the company‟s operations on the community and the environment;<br />

(e) the desirability <strong>of</strong> the company maintaining a reputation for high standards <strong>of</strong> business conduct;<br />

and;<br />

(f) the need to act fairly as between members <strong>of</strong> the company.<br />

65 See cases in Chapter 5.<br />

131

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