The new Incorporated Societies Act 2022 introduced significant change to how societies operate in New Zealand. As we outlined in our earlier post on the new requirements and the need to reregister by 5 April 2026, many societies are now working through what can feel like a complex compliance process.
In this article, we break down the reregistration process into a practical checklist to help your society stay on track and make compliance manageable.
1. Prepare a compliant constitution
A constitution that complies with the 2022 Act is the foundation of your reregistration. The Registrar won’t accept an application without it. Key things your constitution must cover include:
- the society’s purpose and objectives
- how people become and cease to be members
- composition and roles of the committee and officers
- how meetings, decisions and elections are run
- a dispute resolution process.
Because this step can take a while (especially if members ask questions or changes are needed before approval), take time to draft or update it.
Tip: Use the Constitution Builder tool (Companies Office)
2. Review your operational processes
Check how your society actually operates against the requirements of the 2022 Act. This could include:
- ensuring new members give their consent to being a member
- keeping your register of members up to date
- having procedures for recording officer consents and conflict disclosures
- ensuring your financial record-keeping will allow preparation of financial statements to the required standard.
3. Hold a general meeting
Your members must formally agree to reregister the society and adopt the new constitution before you can apply. At this meeting, members should:
- approve the decision to reregister under the 2022 Act
- formally adopt the updated or new constitution
- decide who the officers (committee members) will be
- confirm the contact person for the society.
Make sure you follow your existing rules for calling and conducting the meeting, including notice periods and quorum requirements.
4. Check that your financial statements are up to date
Before you lodge your application to reregister, confirm that your society’s latest financial statements have been filed with the Registrar (unless you’re registered with Charities Services).
Once you have reregistered under the 2022 Act, you will no longer file financial statements under the 1908 Act system.
5. Apply online
After steps 1 to 4 are complete, you can go online and submit your reregistration application through the Incorporated Societies Register. You’ll need to include:
- your compliant constitution
- society contact details (including a registered office and at least one contact person)
- details of committee members and other officers (names, physical addresses, email, start dates).
Staying on track with deadlines
Though the statutory deadline is 5 April 2026, don’t wait until the last minute. Getting members’ approval for the constitution and having your operational processes reviewed can take time. Start early, build your own internal timeline and tick off each step above as you go.