FREE Webinar: How to detect and prevent fraud - Thursday 24 October 2019, 12.00-1.00pm

If your charity or not-for-profit carries out some of its purposes overseas, you are invited to attend this free webinar. Charities Services will walk you through how to detect and prevent fraud in your charity or not-for-profit organisation.

Your legal obligations

How the law applies to incorporated societies

As with any person or organisation, an incorporated society must comply with the laws of New Zealand.

Your responsibilities include meeting any tax obligations, and complying with government agency requirements that may apply to a society’s activities.

For information about a society’s tax obligations, refer to the Inland Revenue Department.
Contact the Department of Internal Affairs for information about running events involving gambling (for example, housie) or applying for community grants.
Contact your local council for information about running events and compliance with local bylaws, for example, holding a street fair.
For information about selling liquor at society functions, contact the District Licensing Agency nearest to where the event will be held.

Breaches of the law

Should you be concerned that the activities of an incorporated society breach New Zealand laws, it may be appropriate to forward your concerns, along with any supporting evidence, to the appropriate authority. For example, in the case of possible criminal activity you should contact the police.

All help topics

Getting started on the register 6 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 business entities

Starting an incorporated society 3 guides

To incorporate a society in New Zealand you must submit an application, along with the required documents, and pay a registration fee.

Running your incorporated society 6 guides

Once you've registered your incorporated society, you'll need to maintain it by keeping your details up to date, filing annual financial statements, and meeting your other legal obligations.

Keeping society details up to date 5 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. There are two ways this can be done – by dissolving the society, or having it liquidated.

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

Forms you'll need to register your incorporated society and keep it up to date, along with a schedule of fees payable.

Managing your online account 6 guides

Your online services account allows you to update and manage personal and organisation account details from your online dashboard.