President Brian Bayley, of Millers Flat near Arrowtown, said the incorporated society's rules had been overtaken by legislation, including the Resource Management Act, since the society was founded about 40 years ago.
"The rules are pretty narrow and the objectives are not as wide-ranging as you would feel comfortable with in the present day," he said.
"The difficulty in adapting the rules are three unattestable clauses that were a requirement of the tax department when the society applied for tax-free status in 1999. Those clauses prevent the society from meeting present and future needs."
Mr Bayley will submit his proposed constitution special clauses at the next society meeting at Gibbston Valley Wines on September 28.
The clauses vowed to take any action in support or incidental to the retention and preservation of the Wakatipu's heritage.
The clauses pledged to support the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, seek any plan changes to the Queenstown Lakes District Council which may offer further protection of heritage, and present submissions to any authority under the RMA or future planning legislation.
"Our society believes we should get the ear of developers before they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on building plans," Mr Bayley said.
"We're prepared to support developers in their consent applications if they are sympathetic to the viewpoints of the society."
Past-president Malcolm Boote, of Arrowtown, was in favour of Mr Bayley's proposal.
He said the new rules would empower the society to ensure it was part of the process and not bypassed.
Mr Boote spearheaded the society's unsuccessful opposition to Ngai Tahu Property's Post Office Precinct in Queenstown three years ago.
While not against the development, the society said the effect on the historic block was significant and lobbied for the precinct's design to be more sympathetic in a legal challenge that cost the society about $5000.
"Since the Ngai Tahu judgement, there have been two legal opinions that consider the society does not rank as an affected party in planning applications under the Resource Management Act," Mr Bayley said.
"Planners and developers have recognised the position the society took at the Environment Court over the precinct. They recognise the society is responsible and has a community voice and we would do everything in our power before going to court.
"You can achieve more by talking."
Mr Bayley said 120 members had responded to a survey about the proposal and 93% of members were in support, along with the committee.
The Queenstown and District Historical Society consists of about 450 members, most of whom were existing or past residents or property owners in the Wakatipu.
Mr Bayley said he was confident there would be a seamless changeover of memberships and funds and the name would have "2008" added to it re-incorporated title.
