How recent law changes affect registered unions
An overview of the Incorporated Societies Act changes and what they mean for your registered union
From 6 April 2026 there is one Act that incorporated societies need to comply with in New Zealand; the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (2022 Act).
The 2022 Act came into force on 5 October 2023. Incorporated societies had 2 years and 6 months to reregister and change from the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 (1908 Act), to the 2022 Act. That transition period has now ended.
To qualify as a registered union, you must first be registered as an incorporated society. This means that registered unions are affected by the changes the 2022 Act brings.
Societies that did not reregister have been removed
Any society that did not reregister by 5 April 2026 has been removed from the Incorporated Societies Register.
The only exclusion are 1908 Act societies that were put into liquidation before 5 April 2026. For these societies, the 1908 Act will continue to apply. The liquidator must still comply with the requirements of sections 24 to 27 of the 1908 Act, which includes filing their 6-monthly reports, and a final report when the liquidation is completed.
What it means if your society has been removed
If your society has been removed from the register it no longer legally exists and will not qualify to be registered as a union.
It also means your society may:
- lose access to its bank accounts
- need to re-apply for an IRD number
- have its property and assets distributed as directed by the Registrar
- lose its separate legal identity.
When your society loses its separate legal identity:
- Members could be held personally liable for the society’s debts, financial obligations, or leases.
- Your society will not be able to sign any new contracts in its name.
- The name your society used will no longer have any protection – another group could incorporate using the same name.
Your society may apply to be restored to the register
If your society did not reregister and it was removed from the register as a result, you can apply to have it restored to Incorporated Societies Register. You must apply for restoration before 6 April 2032.
If your society is not restored to the register, its registration as a union may be cancelled.
You need to provide the following information as part of your restoration application:
- A copy of your society’s constitution – this must comply with the 2022 Act.
- Contact details for your society – including the registered office address, addresses for communication, and details of at least 1 contact person.
- Details of committee members and other officers – including their name, physical address, email address, and start date.
You will also need to pay a restoration application fee of $177.78 (plus GST).
Registered societies are now governed by the 2022 Act
All registered societies must now follow the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. We have updated the guides on the Incorporated Societies Register website, so they now only cover the requirements of the 2022 Act.
Read the incorporated society help guides for the latest guidance
Background to these law changes
The 2022 Act and Incorporated Societies Regulations 2023 came into force on 5 October 2023. Together, these put in place a modern legal, governance and accountability framework for incorporated societies and the people who run them.