Key changes for incorporated societies

Created: June 20, 2022 at 4:19 PM | Updated: June 20, 2022 | By Parry Field Lawyers

Looking for information on how the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022 will affect New Zealand incorporated societies?

Among the changes in the new Act are several requirements that all existing New Zealand Incorporated Societies will need to address to maintain their registration:

  • all societies will need to adopt a new constitution (the rules of the society) and
  • re-registration is required for all societies. 

Parry Field Lawyers describe the following 10 key changes in their overview of the changes:

  1. A committee is now required
  2. Officers duties
  3. Minimum membership changed (more information here)
  4. Consent to membership now required
  5. Dispute resolution procedures required (more information here)
  6. Re-registration required by the transition date (more information here)
  7. Financial reporting
  8. Amalgamation
  9. Enforcement
  10. Offences

Your organisation will have time to plan and implement all the necessary changes - the legislation comes into effect in October 2023 and you'll have until April 2026 to reregister.

Parry Field Lawyers have a number of useful guides on the new Act, videos, and links to seminars on their information hub here.

Key changes for incorporated societies (opens in a new window)