--- title: Incorporated Societies description: Ensure your incorporated society complies with the new 2022 Act. Discover the re-registration process and get expert guidance to update your governing documents efficiently. --- [![dark-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/dark-logo.png) ![top-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/top-logo.png) ![dark-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/dark-logo.png) ![top-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/top-logo.png) ![dark-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/dark-logo.png)](https://moranlaw.co?hsLang=en-nz) - Our Services - [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) - [Commercial and Corporate](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) - [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) - [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) - [Not-For-Profit](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) - [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) - [Our Team](https://moranlaw.co/moranlaw-team) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) [Contact us](https://moranlaw.co/contact?hsLang=en-nz) - Our Services - [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) - [Commercial and Corporate](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) - [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) - [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) - [Not-For-Profit](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) - [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) - [Our Team](https://moranlaw.co/moranlaw-team) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) [Contact us](https://moranlaw.co/contact?hsLang=en-nz) - Our Services - [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) - [Commercial and Corporate](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) - [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) - [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) - [Not-For-Profit](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) - [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) - [Our Team](https://moranlaw.co/moranlaw-team) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) ##### WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND Level 1, 40 Lady Elizabeth Lane Wellington 6011 Postal: PO Box 10538 Wellington 6140 Phone: +64 4 830 2430 Email: [wellington@moranlaw.co](mailto:wellington@moranlaw.co) ##### AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Suite 502, Level 5, Achilles House 8 Commerce Street Auckland 1010 Phone: +64 4 830 2430 Email: [team@moranlaw.co](mailto:team@moranlaw.co) ##### SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Level 26, 44 Market Street  Sydney, NSW, 2000 Phone: +61 2 9091 4258 Email: [sydney@moranlaw.co](mailto:sydney@moranlaw.co) # Incorporated Societies ### Incorporated Societies Many not-for-profit groups and organisations in New Zealand operate as incorporated societies. The benefits of that formal structure include a separate legal identity which leads to better credibility and accountability, access to a wider range of funding, donations, contracts, and loans, and protection for members from personal liability for the society’s debts and operations. An incorporated society can also apply for charitable status. New legislation - the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 - came into force on 5 October 2023, modernising the rules for incorporated societies.  All incorporated societies in New Zealand had until 5 April 2026 to re-register under the new Act. Those that didn't meet the deadline will have been removed from the Register, meaning that they cease to exist as incorporated societies. If your society has been removed, we can help you work out what do to next. Contact Louisa on [louisa@moranlaw.co](mailto:louisa@moranlaw.co) to plan a way forward. **Changes introduced by the new Act** The [new Act](https://moranlaw.co/blog/incorporated-societies-act-2022-frequently-asked-questions?hsLang=en-nz) introduced significant changes, aimed at creating more robust governance functions for incorporated societies. This includes specifying various elements that must be in a society's governing document, including dispute resolution procedures, details of how a person becomes and consents to becoming a member, providing for a register of members which includes specific information, appointing a contact person, and procedures for dealing with officers’ conflicts of interest. **What happens if your incorporated society didn't re-register in time?** Any society that did not complete the re-registration process by the deadline will have been removed from the Register of Incorporated Societies (“Register”). The society now ceases to exist as a legal entity. The former society has become a group of individuals with personal liability for the former society’s commitments (e.g. debts, liabilities, staff). Ceasing to exist is especially problematic for incorporated societies with contractual obligations like loans, assets, property, and employees. Removed societies are able to apply for restoration to the Register, with a compliant constitution. This will likely require legal support because the former society no longer exists. [Read further information here on what is involved in restoration.](https://moranlaw.co/blog/restoring-removed-incorporated-societies-what-does-restoration-mean-for-societies-that-failed-to-re-register-in-time?hsLang=en-nz)  **How can we help your incorporated society? ** The team at MoranLaw has considerable experience helping incorporated societies of all shapes and sizes navigate the new Act. We can: - Support removed societies with applying for restoration after 5 April 2026;  - Review and provide feedback on a draft constitution you have prepared for your society or create a bespoke constitution for your society; - Provide advice and guidance to help your society operate under the new Act; and - Provide advice and guidance for new societies wanting to incorporate under the new Act. Our [blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog/tag/incorporated-societies?hsLang=en-nz) has useful articles to help your incorporated society. Get in touch with [Louisa](https://moranlaw.co/louisa-joblin-moranlaw?hsLang=en-nz) to discuss how we can support you.  ### Let’s work together [Get in touch](https://moranlaw.co/contact?hsLang=en-nz) ### SPECIALIST AREAS [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property?hsLang=en-nz) [Commercial and Corporate Law](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate?hsLang=en-nz) [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management?hsLang=en-nz) [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/for-families?hsLang=en-nz) [Not-For-Profits](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits?hsLang=en-nz) [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security?hsLang=en-nz) ### The Team - [Scott Moran](https://moranlaw.co/scott-moran-moranlaw) - [Amanda Griffiths](https://moranlaw.co/amanda-griffiths-moranlaw) - [Louisa Joblin](https://moranlaw.co/louisa-joblin-moranlaw) - [Jessie Malcolm](https://moranlaw.co/jessie-malcolm-moranlaw) - [Ffion Merchant-Williams](https://moranlaw.co/ffion-merchant-williams-moranlaw) - [John Hackett](https://moranlaw.co/john-hackett-moranlaw) - [Chelcie Kite](https://moranlaw.co/chelcie-kite-moranlaw) - [Venetia McInman](https://moranlaw.co/venetia-mcinman-moranlaw) - [Fergielyn Catayoc](https://moranlaw.co/fergielyn-catayoc-moranlaw) - [Lucas d’Arbois de Jubainville](https://moranlaw.co/lucas-darbois-de-jubainville-moranlaw) - [Kimberley Will](https://moranlaw.co/kimberley-will-moranlaw) - [Shamara Polliack](https://moranlaw.co/shamara-polliack-moranlaw) - [Tracey Lucas](https://moranlaw.co/tracey-lucas-moranlaw) - [Kathy Hunter](https://moranlaw.co/kathy-hunter-moranlaw) - [Sara Barnes](https://moranlaw.co/sara-barnes-moranlaw) - [Rebecca Evans](https://moranlaw.co/rebecca-evans-moranlaw) - [Flora Dryburgh](https://moranlaw.co/flora-dryburgh-moranlaw) - [Jacky Simperingham](https://moranlaw.co/jacky-simperingham-moranlaw) - [Tom Winfield](https://moranlaw.co/tom-winfield-moranlaw) ### Quick Links - [Contact Us](https://moranlaw.co/contact) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Privacy Policy](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-policy) - [Terms](https://moranlaw.co/terms-of-engagement) - [Our Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) © MoranLaw Limited 2024 [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/moranlaw) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/moranlawnzau/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557642282289)