Created: July 25, 2013 at 10:31 AM | Updated: June 19, 2022 | By Community Resource Kit
The following steps show the process for setting-up an incorporated society. This information supplements Incorporated Societies of the Community Resource Kit.
[For more information on the different types of organisation you can set-up see Formal Organisational Structures and Characteristics of different organisational legal structures.]
Refer to Getting started, and Strategic planning, for more information on developing your mission and strategic planning.
(https://is-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/) and:
Gather the information you need to incorporate your society - find out more about this here.
Complete your application online or, if applying manually, send the following completed documents back to the Companies Office:
If you are registered with Charities Services, you will need to notify changes and file an annual return (including annual accounts) with Charities Services instead of the Registrar of Incorporated Societies.
Tip: If your organisation has a charitable purpose, registering with Charities Services will entitle you to an exemption from income tax and resident withholding tax. If you want to apply for registration under the Charities Act 2005, you need to meet their requirements for registration:You will also need to fill out an application form, an Officer Certification Form (one copy for each of your officers), and send in a copy of your rules, including all amendments. For more details visit: https://www.charities.govt.nz/im-a-registered-charity/officer-information/officer-certification/
- the name needs to be suitable i.e. not offensive or liable to mislead the public
- the purposes need to be charitable
- the officers need to be qualified under the terms of the Act.