TAKE ACTION NOW: Re-register your incorporated society by 5 April 2026

If your club or community group is an incorporated society, you must re-register under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 to keep operating. It’s not too late, but you do need to start now.

If you leave re-registration to the last minute, you’re taking on avoidable risk. It’s not too late, but you do need to start now, here’s what can go wrong if you delay:

Why leaving it late is risky

• Loss of legal status: Miss the deadline and your society cease to exist as a legal entity. https://is-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/help-centre/reregistering/get-ready-for-reregistering/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Personal liability: Without that legal “shield,” members may be personally liable for debts or obligations (like leases).
• No new contracts: You can’t validly sign new contracts in the society’s name.
• Assets out of your hands: You may lose the right to decide what happens to society assets; the Registrar can direct distribution.
• Name and tax impacts: Your society’s name may no longer be protected, and your IRD settings can be affected. https://www.ird.govt.nz/roles/not-for-profits-and-charities/changing/reregister-your-incorporated-society-to-keep-your-ird-number?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Many groups are still catching up, news reports estimate around 18,000 societies had yet to re-register as of 30 April 2025. Don’t be one of them.

What to do:

• Get your house in order: Update your constitution and review your processes; this prep can take time.
• Hold a general meeting: Approve the decision to re-register and adopt the new constitution.
• Apply online: Have your constitution, society contact details (registered office, comms addresses, at least one contact person), and committee/officer details (name, physical address, email, start date) ready. There are no fees, and the Companies Office aims to respond within 3 working days. Start here: is-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/help-centre/reregistering/applying-to-reregister-your-society/.

Need a hand?

For extra reading and practical tips: Community Networks Aotearoa’s overview and Parry Field Lawyers’ resource hub (https://www.parryfield.com/home/blogs/resources-for-the-incorporated-societies-act-2022/).

Feel free to contact us if you need some support on who might be worthwhile connecting with in your area, via info@volunteerkāpiti.org.nz