Changing your society's name
How to request a change, and what's required
New legislation for incorporated societies
Between 5 October 2023 and 5 April 2026 there are 2 Acts in force
The Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (2022 Act) applies if your society —
- registered for the first time on or after 5 October 2023, or
- registered before 5 October 2023 and has reregistered since then.
The Incorporated Societies Act 1908 (1908 Act) applies if your society registered before 5 October 2023 and has not yet reregistered.
An incorporated society can apply to the Registrar to change its name. Before deciding on a new name, be sure that you can use it.
This section applies to societies currently registered under the 1908 Act
This section applies to societies currently registered under the 1908 Act
To change your society’s name, you need to follow the same process as that for changing your rules. This is because a society’s name is established by its rules – in fact, it’s the first rule of an incorporated society.
If, however, you only want to add macrons to your society’s name you don’t need to change your rules — you can just ask us to update the register and issue a new certificate of incorporation (see below).
Adding macrons to your society’s name
In 2019 we made changes to our register system so that it's possible to record macrons in names. If your society’s registered name should have always included macrons, you can ask us to change your name on the register and issue a new certificate of incorporation. You don't need to change your rules to add macrons, just complete our request form and send it to us – our addresses are on the form.
How to change your society’s name on the register
When changing your society’s name, you’ll need to provide us with:
- a copy of the updated rules (with the alterations highlighted) or
- a copy of the rule (or rules) that have been changed.
In each case, the document you upload must have been signed by 3 members of your society.
To update your society's name online, you must have:
- a RealMe® login
- an online services account for the Incorporated Societies Register
- authority to manage information on the register for your society.
Step by step
Log in to your online services account. From the dashboard select the society you’re updating and follow these steps.
- On the 'View Details' page, select 'Name Change’.
- Enter the proposed name. You can use the ‘Name availability check’ button to ensure the new name is available.
- Upload a copy of the updated rules.
- Include any documents to support your change of rules or change of name.
For example, If another organisation has given its consent to use the name, upload their written consent as a supporting document. - Tick the certification box.
- Complete the signatory details and select ‘Submit’.
What happens next
We will review the details you’ve provided, and this may take up to 3 working days. When we register the change, we'll send you an email confirming that both the change of name and the rule change has been registered. We’ll also send you an updated Certificate of Incorporation.
The changes take effect from the date we register them.
This section applies to societies currently registered under the 2022 Act
This section applies to societies currently registered under the 2022 Act
How to change your society’s name on the register
To change your society's name online, you must have:
- a RealMe® login
- an online services account for the Incorporated Societies Register
- authority to manage information on the register for your society.
Step by step
Log in to your online services account. From the dashboard select the society you’re updating and follow these steps.
- On the 'View Details' page, select 'Name Change’.
- Enter the proposed name. You can use the ‘Name availability check’ button to ensure the new name is available.
- Include any documents to support your change of name.
For example, If another organisation has given its consent to use the name, upload their written consent as a supporting document. - Complete the signatory details and select ‘Submit’.
What happens next
We will review your application, and this may take up to 3 working days. When we register the change, we'll send you an email confirming that the name change has been registered. We’ll also send you an updated Certificate of Incorporation.
The new name takes effect from the date we issue the updated certificate.
The section below applies to all societies
This information applies to all societies. It doesn't matter which Act they're currently registered under.
A name change doesn’t affect the rights or liabilities of the incorporated society, and doesn't affect legal proceedings by, or against, the society. Legal proceedings taken against the society under its former name may be continued against it under its new name.
Related articles
All help topics
Getting started on the register
8 guides
Find out about incorporated societies and the Incorporated Societies Register, and what's needed to register and maintain an incorporated society in New Zealand.
Searching the Incorporated Societies Register
2 guides
Find out how to search our registers for information about incorporated societies, and other entities
Starting an incorporated society
5 guides
To incorporate a society in New Zealand you must submit an application, along with the required documents, and pay a registration fee.
Reregistering under the 2022 Act
6 guides
To remain on the register, existing societies will need to reregister under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 before April 2026
Running your incorporated society
7 guides
Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to keep your details on the register up to date, and follow the rules that apply to incorporated societies and how they are run.
Meeting your annual filing requirements
3 guides
Once you've registered your incorporated society, you'll need to file annual financial statements. Societies registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 must also complete an annual return.
Keeping society details up to date
8 guides
Once you've registered your incorporated society, you'll need to file annual financial statements and update other society details when they change.
- Confirming your authority to manage information
- Updating your society's contact details on the register
- Updating officer details on the register
- Changing your society's rules or constitution
- Changing your society's name
- Updating your AGM month or balance date on the register
- Requesting a correction to the register
- How societies amalgamate
Ending an incorporated society
3 guides
When an incorporated society reaches the end of its 'life', it must be wound up and removed from the register. Here we outline the ways this can be done, and the steps involved.
Restoring an incorporated society to the register
2 guides
An application can be made to us to have an incorporated society restored to the register, by the society itself, or by a creditor. You'll need to provide evidence to support your application.
Forms and fees
3 guides
The forms you might need to update a society's details, along with the fees that apply and ways you can pay.
Managing your online account
7 guides
To update society details on the Register of Incorporated Societies you need a Companies Office online services account. It's free to set up, but fees apply for some transactions.