The reregistration deadline under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 passed on 5 April 2026. Sports clubs, hobby groups, professional bodies and community organisations registered under the 1908 Act had two years and six months to reregister, and the transition period is now over. For societies that missed it, the questions are what has happened to them, whether they can come back, and what it means for the people who run them.
What Happened to Societies That Did Not Reregister
The Companies Office's guidance on how recent law changes affect incorporated societies is direct: "Any society that did not reregister by 5 April 2026 has been removed from the Incorporated Societies Register." According to that guidance, a removed society no longer legally exists. The practical consequences it lists include:
- losing access to bank accounts and potentially needing a new IRD number
- assets being distributed as the Registrar directs
- members potentially becoming personally liable for the society's debts, obligations or leases
- the society being unable to sign new contracts in its name
- the society's name no longer being protected, so another group could register it
Societies that were already in liquidation under the 1908 Act before 5 April 2026 remain under that Act, and their liquidators must still file the required reports.
Restoration Is Available Until 2032
A removed society can apply to be restored. The Companies Office page on restoring a 1908 Act society says anyone who was an officer or member when the society was removed can apply, and that applications must be made before 6 April 2032. The fee is $177.78 plus GST.
To be restored, the society needs at least 10 members, a constitution that complies with the 2022 Act, a registered office with a full physical address, at least three officers, most of whom must be members, evidence that it was operating when it was removed, and its latest financial statements if they have not already been filed. Once an application is accepted, a public notice is published and there is a 20 working day objection period. If there are no objections, the society is generally restored the next working day, and it must then meet the 2022 Act's ongoing requirements. Societies registered with Charities Services file their annual return with Charities Services rather than the Companies Office.
The Exposure for Members and Officers
The period between removal and restoration is when the people involved are most exposed. A group that keeps operating after removal is no longer acting through a legal entity. The Companies Office warns that members may become personally liable for the society's debts, obligations or leases, and any new arrangements made in the society's name sit on uncertain ground.
Insurance needs attention in the same period. An association liability or trustee liability policy names the society as the insured entity. If that entity has been removed from the register, ask your insurer or adviser in writing how the policy responds to claims against the individuals involved, both for decisions made before removal and for anything done since. Public liability, property and volunteer accident policies should be checked in the same way, because each of them assumes the policyholder exists.
If the Society Should Not Continue
Not every removed society needs to be restored. If the group has stopped operating, the remaining questions are what happens to any assets and how to deal with obligations such as leases. Removal is not a substitute for dealing with those properly, and legal advice is worthwhile before assuming the matter is closed. If the society was also a registered charity, the Charities Services guidance on winding up and deregistration applies as well; our guide to closing or merging a charity covers the insurance decisions involved, including run-off cover for former officers.
For Societies That Did Reregister
The 2022 Act sets out officer duties explicitly, which makes association liability cover more relevant than it was under the 1908 Act. If you reregistered with a new constitution, check that the policy's description of the insured entity and insured persons still matches it, and that the people the Act treats as officers are covered.
Check Your Status
The Incorporated Societies Register is searchable by name on the Companies Office website. If your society does not appear, or its status is anything other than registered, take advice promptly and keep the period of uncertainty as short as possible.
To review your cover after reregistration or restoration, Get a Quote and a Registered Financial Service Provider who works with not-for-profits will be in touch within one business day.
Sources: Companies Office, How recent law changes affect incorporated societies (updated April 2026) and Applying to restore a 1908 Act society to the register (updated April 2026). Checked 10 October 2026.
About the Author
The CharityInsurance Crew — the CharityInsurance crew are your friendly insurance geeks on a mission to make specialist cover simple and accessible for every NZ charity, sports club, and community organisation.