The New Zealand Companies Office is urging incorporated societies that wish to continue operating as an incorporated entity to take urgent action to reregister under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 ahead of the 5 April deadline.

Those that don’t make the deadline could face serious consequences.

Companies Office National Manager Bolen Ng says if a society does not reregister by 5 April, it will be removed from the register and will lose its legal status as an incorporated entity.

“That can affect everything from banking to leases to tax arrangements. We don’t want to see clubs and community groups facing avoidable disruption simply because the deadline was missed,” he says.

“Reregistration is also an opportunity to modernise your governance settings under the 2022 Act, giving officers clearer guidance and strengthening transparency for members.”

Being removed and losing incorporated status can have immediate impacts, including:

• Bank accounts being frozen or closed
• Leases and contracts becoming uncertain, including venue, equipment and facility agreements where incorporated status is a condition.
• Tax implications, particularly for societies that are also registered charities, which rely on recognised legal status for their reporting and exemptions.
• Delays to accessing funding, where grant providers require evidence that a society is incorporated.
• Administrative disruption, with volunteers possibly forced to pause activities while issues are resolved.

“While societies can apply to be restored at a later date, if they have already taken steps towards preparing for reregistration, it’s not too late to complete the process and avoid these issues altogether,” Mr Ng says.

“Once members have approved the updated constitution, the process to apply for reregistration is quick and straightforward, and there is a lot of guidance available.”

For more information, including stepbystep guidance and tools to help update constitutions, visit the Incorporated Societies website or call the Service Centre on 0508 762 438.

Where to get help

• Incorporated Societies: https://is-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/help-centre/searching-the-incorporated-societies-register/how-to-search/
• Guide to reregistering: https://is-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/help-centre/reregistering/applying-to-reregister-your-society/
• Charities Services information: https://www.charities.govt.nz/news-and-events/hot-topics/incorporated-societies-reregistration-requirement-with-the-companies-office
• “Get ready for reregistering”: https://is-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/law-changes-for-societies/get-ready-for-reregistering/

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