Application by a society to be restored to the register

An incorporated society applying to be restored to the register must demonstrate that the society was dissolved in error. Applications by the society can be made online, following the steps below.

What you will need to provide

Societies applying to be restored must submit:

• the most recent annual financial statements yet to be filed (at least the last 3 years), together with a financial statements cover sheet for each (Form IS4)
• the restoration fee of $177.78 (plus GST)
• If the application is based on the grounds that the society was operating at the time it was dissolved, you’ll also need to provide documentation showing this to be so, for example, financial records, meeting minutes, or legal documents.

How to apply

To apply online to have a society restored to the register, you'll need:

• a RealMe® login
• an online services account for the Incorporated Societies Register
• authority to manage information on the register for the society (if you don't already have confirmed authority, see below for how to apply).

Step by step

Follow these steps —

1. Log in to your online services account.
2. Search for the society you wish to restore and click on its name to view its details.
3. On the 'View Details' page, from the ‘Maintain Incorporated Society’ menu, select ‘Request to Restore’.
4. Select the applicant type from the drop-down menu.
5. On the first tab of the application, provide the reason for restoration, as well evidence of operation, any supporting documents, and the society's most recent outstanding financial statements (if there are any outstanding, you need to provide at least the last 3 years). You can also change the society’s AGM month or balance date on this tab.
6. On the ‘Addresses’ tab, confirm if the current addresses and contact details are correct, or upload Form IS3 with your new address details.
7. On the ‘Officers’ tab, confirm if the current officer details are correct, or upload Form IS3 with the new details.
8. On the 'Review' tab, check that the information you've provided is correct, and make any necessary changes.
9. Complete the signatory details and select 'Apply' to submit the form.
10. Pay the restoration fee and select 'OK'.

What happens next

We will review your application to ensure that —

• all requirements have been met,
• all necessary documents have been submitted, and
• the restoration fee has been paid.

If the application is successful, the incorporated society will be immediately restored to the register. We will notify the applicant by email. An application may take longer to process where we require further information.

The Registrar will give public notice of all restored societies in the New Zealand Gazette and on our website.

For further information

If you would like to know more about restoring an incorporated society, read section 28 of the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.

Who can apply

You can apply to restore your society to the register if you were an officer of the society at the time it was removed from the register.

Members can also apply but the process and requirements are slightly different. Read our help guide for members applying for restoration.

Grounds for applying

You can apply to restore your society to the register if any of the following reasons apply.

• The society was operating at the time of its removal and there is a proper reason for the society to continue to exist.
• The grounds for removal did not exist.
• The society was party to legal proceedings.
• The society was in receivership or liquidation or both.

The information you will need to provide

• Evidence of operation
  Documentation that shows your society was operating at the time it was removed. Examples include financial transactions, meeting minutes or legal documents.

• Latest financial statements (if not already filed)
  A copy of the most recent financial statements for your society, but only if they have not already been filed with us. Make sure they have been signed by 2 members of the committee.

• Updated addresses (if any)
  If the society’s registered office address or address for communication have changed you need to complete Form IS22-UA (Notice of change of addresses). Save a copy of the completed form to upload when you apply.

  Download Form IS22-UA — Notice of change of addresses PDF, 195 KB opens in a new window

• Updated contact details (if any)
  If the society’s contact email address or phone numbers have changed you can update those when you apply. If the contact person details have changed you need to complete Form IS22-UCP (Notice of change of contact person details). Save a copy of the completed form to upload when you apply.

  Download Form IS22-UCP — Notice of change of contact person details PDF, 202 KB opens in a new window

• Updated officer details (if any)
  If any of the society’s officer details have changed you need to complete Form IS22-UO (Notice of changes to officers). Save a copy of the completed form to upload when you apply.

  Download Form IS22-UO — Notice of changes to officers PDF, 210 KB opens in a new window

A restoration fee applies

To apply to restore your society you must pay a restoration fee of $177.78 (plus GST).

We offer 3 payment options for paying fees (by card, direct debit or internet banking). To pay by direct debit you will need to set up the direct debit facility several days before you apply to restore your society.

How to apply online

You will need:

• a RealMe® login
• an online account with us
• confirmed authority with us
  If you had not confirmed your authority with us before your society was removed from the register, you will need to apply manually (see below for how to apply).
• card or banking information to pay the $177.78 (plus GST) fee.

Step by step

Follow these steps —

1. Log in to the Incorporated Societies Register.
2. Select your society, from the “My Businesses’ section of your dashboard.
3. Go to the ‘Maintain Incorporated Society’ menu and select ‘Request to Restore’.
4. For the applicant type, select ‘Officer of the society’.
5. Confirm the grounds for restoration
6. Upload evidence of operation (such as financial transactions, meeting minutes or legal documents) and any supporting documents.
7. Confirm the current addresses, contact details and officer details are correct.
8. If there are any changes upload completed forms as above.
9. Complete the signatory details and select 'Apply' to submit the form.
10. Pay the restoration fee and select 'OK'.

What happens next

We will review your application and contact you if we have any questions or need any further information.

We will give public notice

If we accept your application, we will:

• give public notice of the intended restoration, and
• provide a period of 20 working days for any objections.

The notice is published on the Incorporated Societies Register website and the New Zealand Gazette.

News and notices

We will email you to confirm the date the Registrar will publish the public notice.

Wait 20 working days to allow for any objections

Once the notice has been published, the public has 20 working days to object to the restoration of your society. We will email you if we receive any objections.

Restore your society to the register

If we have received no objection after 20 working days, your society will be restored to the register (generally the next working day).

From that point on your society must complete annual returns, file annual financial statements and update other society details when they change.