Is your organisation ready for the new Incorporated Societies Act?
All incorporated societies must re-register under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 by 5 April 2026 to continue operating legally.
If you’ve not already applied, please read on as failing to re-register may have serious consequences:
- Banks may freeze your accounts due to loss of legal status
- Committee members could become personally liable for risks, debt, and contracts
- Loss of ability to enter new agreements or maintain leases, funding, and sponsorships
- Loss of voting rights at regional or national level
- Your society’s name losing legal protection
- If you sell and/or supply alcohol under a club licence, losing incorporated status would mean that the club licence will lapse. This would mean the club must stop selling alcohol immediately until your incorporated society status is reinstated, and a new club licence is applied for and granted (minimum 6 weeks processing time)
Free practical workshop | 15 January 2026
To help you through the re-registering process, we’re offering a free practical workshop.
- Date: Thursday 15 January 2026
- Time: 9.30am–12.30pm
- Location: WBS Room, Greytown Town Hall, Main Street, Greytown
What you’ll learn:
- Key requirements under the new Act
- How to update your constitution to meet compliance standards
- Steps to hold a special general meeting and approve changes
- How to complete the online re-registration process
Please bring:
- A laptop
- A printed copy of your existing constitution, rules, or charter
We have space for 15 participants. A wider Q&A and a recording will be available for those who can’t attend.
Register now: grants@swdc.govt.nz
Important note
If you are registered with Charities Services, you may still need to re-register under the new Act or consider changing your legal structure – if your organisation originally gained legal status as an Incorporated Society. Options include:
- Re-register as an Incorporated Society under the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022 by 5 April 2026
- Apply to change your legal structure to become a Charitable Trust Board (takes up to 20 weeks)
- Wind down your society so as not to continue as a legal entity (please be aware this may limit your operational capabilities and funding opportunities in the future)
More information
For more details visit: What happens if your society doesn’t reregister | Incorporated Societies.
See this Community Law Wellington resource showing the pros and cons of different legal structures for groups.