How recent law changes affect incorporated societies

An overview of recent law changes and what they mean for your society

From 6 April 2026 there is one Act that incorporated societies need to comply with in New Zealand; the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (2022 Act).

The 2022 Act came into force on 5 October 2023. Incorporated societies had 2 years and 6 months to reregister and change from the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 (1908 Act), to the 2022 Act. That transition period has now ended.

In this guide

Societies that did not reregister have been removed

Any society that did not reregister by 5 April 2026 has been removed from the Incorporated Societies Register. 

The only exclusion are 1908 Act societies that were put into liquidation before 5 April 2026. For these societies, the 1908 Act will continue to apply. The liquidator must still comply with the requirements of sections 24 to 27 of the 1908 Act, which includes filing their 6-monthly reports, and a final report when the liquidation is completed.

What it means if your society has been removed

If your society has been removed from the register it ceases to legally exist. This means your society may:

  • lose access to its bank accounts
  • need to re-apply for an IRD number
  • have its property and assets distributed as directed by the Registrar
  • lose its separate legal identity. 

When your society loses its separate legal identity:

  • Members could be held personally liable for the society’s debts, financial obligations, or leases.
  • Your society will not be able to sign any new contracts in its name.
  • The name your society used will no longer have any protection – another group could incorporate using the same name.

Your society may apply to be restored to the register

If your society did not reregister and was removed from the register as a result, you can apply to be restored to the register. You must apply for restoration before 6 April 2032.

You need to provide the following information as part of your application:

  • A copy of your society’s constitution – this must comply with the 2022 Act.
  • Contact details for your society – including the registered office address, addresses for communication, and details of at least 1 contact person.
  • Details of committee members and other officers – including their name, physical address, email address, and start date.

You will also need to pay a restoration application fee of $177.78 (plus GST).

How to apply to restore a 1908 Act society to the register

Registered societies are now governed by the 2022 Act

All registered societies must now follow the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. We have updated the guides in our ‘Help centre’, so they now only cover the requirements of the 2022 Act.

Go to our Help centre for the latest guidance

Why this law was changed

The 2022 Act and Incorporated Societies Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) came into force on 5 October 2023. Together, these put in place a modern legal, governance and accountability framework for incorporated societies and the people who run them.

See a summary of the key differences between the 1908 Act and the 2022 Act

Read how the law changes may affect some residents’ associations

Other guides in
Getting started on the register

Other help topics

Searching the Incorporated Societies Register

Starting an incorporated society

Running your incorporated society

Annual financial statements and annual returns

Keeping society details up to date

Ending an incorporated society

Restoring an incorporated society to the register

Forms and fees

Managing your online account

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