Incorporated Societies Law Changes

The new Incorporated Societies Act was passed in April 2022, replacing the old Act from 1908. Below you'll find information on each of the changes affecting community organisations.

CNA thanks our friends at Parry Field Lawyers for their permission to link directly to their excellent  resources. They provide these helpful resources, guides, links to seminars, and more so you can be empowered to take the right next steps.

Parry Field Lawyers offers short, free consultations regarding the Incorporated Societies Act please CLICK HERE to go to their page.

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR INFORMATION

One Page Timeline

This simple infographic gives you a time line and what changes need to happen to every Incorporated Society over the next 2+ years.

What It Means for your incorporated Soc.

Each Incorporated Society will need to update their constitution (the rules of the organisation) which will need to be adopted and reregistration with the Companies Office.

Governance

The old Act only required a society to have officers. Under the new Act, a society
must have a committee.

Membership

Membership is a key point of difference for incorporated societies. It is a source of strength as a member led organisation can draw on the enthusiasm of its member base.

Conflicts of Interest

The new Act requires an officer to disclose when they are interested in “a matter”. meaning a society’s performance of its activities or exercise of its powers, or a transaction made or entered into, or proposed to be entered into, by the society.

Dispute Resolution

Unlike the old Act, the new Act requires the society’s constitution to include dispute resolution procedures, including provision for how a complaint may be made

Officers

There are reasons that a person may not be permitted to become an officer of your society, this link will take you to the Act itself.

Reregistering Your Society

Every Incorporated Society will need to reregister after bringing their constitution/rules up to spec - here's how and what is needed to apply.

Companies Office

The Companies Office also has a wide variety of information on the what, where and how of the changes to the law.

NZ Companies Office Constitution Builder

This is a fantastic build-it-yourself, step by step guide that will let you create a draft document for writing or revising your society's rules.


This is not a substitute for legal advice , but a way to get started on your changes

Constitution Builder

Advice

Throughout Aotearoa/NZ Community Law has branches and may be able to help you.
CLICK HERE to go to their website

Parry Field Lawyers also offer short, free consultations, CLICK HERE to go to their website
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