On 5 April 2026, the reregistration window under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 officially closed. For the thousands of societies that successfully reregistered, the focus now shifts to ongoing compliance. For those that didn’t make it in time, the situation is serious, but not hopeless.
Here’s where things stand.
The numbers
In the final days before the deadline, an estimated 3,300 societies had still not reregistered; roughly 15% of New Zealand’s 21,000+ incorporated societies. The Government confirmed there would be no extension. Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson noted that societies had the best part of three and a half years to prepare.
Of those that didn’t make it, MBIE estimated around 430 intended to cease operations, roughly 640 planned to adopt a different structure, and approximately 750 had no plan in place.
What happened to societies that missed the deadline?
As of 6 April 2026, societies that did not reregister have been automatically removed from the Incorporated Societies Register. In practical terms, a removed society:
- No longer has a separate legal identity
- Cannot enter contracts or hold property in its name
- May have bank accounts frozen or inaccessible
- Has members who could face personal liability for debts
- Has lost protection over its registered name
- Will need to reapply for its IRD number and any tax-exempt status
There is a restoration pathway
The good news: removal is not necessarily permanent. Under the 2022 Act, a removed society can apply to be restored to the register. The Companies Office has published guidance for both officers and members/creditors of removed societies.
The restoration process involves:
- Preparing a constitution that is fully compliant with the 2022 Act
- Providing current officer details (minimum 3 officers), a registered office address, and a nominated contact person
- Lodging a restoration application through the Incorporated Societies Register (fee: $177.78 + GST)
- A 20 working day public notice and objection period
If no objections are received, the society is typically restored the next working day.
For societies that did reregister
Reregistration was the starting point, not the finish line. The 2022 Act introduces ongoing obligations that many committees are only now getting to grips with: annual return filings, tiered financial reporting, maintaining an accurate officer register, conflict of interest management, and updated general meeting requirements.
For volunteer-run committees, staying on top of all of this is a genuine challenge. That’s exactly what our Compliance Inc platform was built for: a single hub for all your governance and compliance obligations, with built-in reminders, templates, and plain-English guides.
What should you do now?
If your society missed the deadline: Don’t wait. The sooner you start the restoration process, the sooner your society can resume normal operations. IGS can manage the entire process from drafting a compliant constitution to lodging the restoration application. We offer fixed-fee pricing and will give you a clear picture of what’s involved before you commit.
If your society is registered: Now is the time to get your ongoing compliance sorted. Review your officer register, understand your financial reporting tier, and ensure your committee knows its obligations. If you need help, IGS offers governance advisory, and our Compliance Inc platform provides everything you need in one place.
| Need help? IGS offers a free initial conversation to assess where your society stands. Contact us at igs.nz/contact. |
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