Application by a society to be restored to the register

What's required for a society to apply

New legislation for incorporated societies

Between 5 October 2023 and 5 April 2026 there are 2 Acts in force.

If your society —

  • registered for the first time on or after 5 October 2023, the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (2022 Act) applies.
  • registered before 5 October 2023 and has reregistered since then, the 2022 Act applies.
  • registered before 5 October 2023 and has not yet reregistered, the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 (1908 Act) applies.

If your incorporated society has been dissolved or removed from the register, you can apply to have it restored to the register.

This section applies to societies currently registered under the 1908 Act

If your society existed before 5 October 2023, it must operate under and comply with the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 (the 1908 Act) until it reregisters under the 2022 Act.

If you’re not sure which Act applies to your society, you can check by searching the Incorporated Societies Register for free.

How to search 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’ll 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.

Download Form IS4 – Cover sheet for financial statements for a society PDF, 174 KB opens in a new window

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).

RealMe logins and setting up your online services account

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'.

Download Form IS3 – Update details for an incorporated society PDF, 184 KB opens in a new window

Request restoration of a society

How to apply if you don't have authority to update the register

If you don't already have authority to update information on the register for the society, you will need to apply by completing a manual form.

Download Form IS6 - Request to restore a society to the register PDF, 202 KB opens in a new window

Send your completed request to us —

By post to:

Companies Office
Private Bag 92061
Victoria Street West
Auckland 1142

or by email to compliance@companiesoffice.govt.nz

Extra information required if the rules need to be updated

If your society’s rules have changed and you have yet to inform us, you may also wish to provide a signed copy of the rule changes, along with the alteration of rules certificate (Form IS2); or submit a full set of rules if we do not hold a copy on the register.

Download Form IS2 – Certificate - Alteration of rules PDF, 166 KB opens in a new window

Extra information required if other details need to be updated

If any of the addresses for the society have changed or the officer details need to be updated you will also need to advise us of the new details. You should complete Form IS3 to update addresses or officer details.

Download Form IS3 — Update details for an incorporated society PDF, 184 KB opens in a new window

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

This section applies to societies currently registered under the 2022 Act

All help topics

Getting started on the register 7 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.

Ending an incorporated society 2 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 – by dissolving the society (1908 Act), removing the society from the register (2022 Act) or placing it in liquidation.

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.