How to search the Incorporated Societies Register

Information about incorporated societies, and how to find it

You can search the register free of charge for information about incorporated societies and their status.

What you can search for

Information available on the register for an incorporated society includes its:

  • name
  • incorporation number
  • New Zealand Business Number
  • date of incorporation
  • addresses
  • officer details (where recorded)
  • constitution or rules
  • annual financial statements (for society’s not registered as charities).

Searching the register

To conduct a search, enter a society’s name, incorporation number or New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) into the search bar on the register’s homepage.

A ‘quick-search’ list of results will appear immediately, providing basic information for societies matching your search criteria, including society name, incorporation number, NZBN and current status.

For a more detailed list of results, which includes addresses and incorporation date, click on ‘All results’ at the top right-hand corner of the page, or the ‘View more detailed results’ link at the bottom of the quick-search list of results.

Search for societies

Refining your search

You can use the ‘Advanced Search’, located in the top right-hand corner of the quick-search page, to find specific results for the following criteria:

When choosing ‘Search Business’:

  • business type
  • business status
  • registration date
  • address keywords

When choosing ‘Search Role’:

  • role type
  • role status
  • business type
  • business status

Organising your search results

You can sort your results by ascending or descending order, and have the choice of printing your results, attaching them to an email, or saving them either as a PDF or Excel file.

Viewing a society’s information

To view the publicly available information we hold for an incorporated society, click on its name in the search results list.

Access to a society’s documents

All public documents filed with us are available free of charge. These include:

  • a copy of the society’s rules
  • copies of the annual financial statements
  • change of address forms (if any).

To access a society’s documents

  1. Search for the incorporated society, as described above.
  2. Click on the society’s name.
  3. On the ‘View Details’ screen, click on the ‘Filings’ tab.
  4. Choose from the list of documents by clicking the link.
  5. Click on the document number to view, or export the document as a PDF.

Archived documents

All documents filed since April 2002 are available electronically. Prior to 2002, the last complete set of amended rules or trust deed variations are also available electronically.

Archived documents for incorporated societies that were declared dissolved prior to 31 Dec 2002 are available from Archives New Zealand.

A search for any archived document can be made on the Archives New Zealand website

If the records are not available electronically or through Archives New Zealand, the society should be approached directly for a copy.

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 5 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 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.

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. 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 7 guides

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