My society missed the 5 April 2026 deadline — what now?

If you've just realised your society missed the 5 April 2026 re-registration deadline, take a breath. You're far from alone — thousands of societies across New Zealand were removed from the register on 6 April 2026, and most of them are still figuring out what to do.

The good news: your society isn't gone forever. Restoration is genuinely available, and the process is more straightforward than most committees expect.

What actually happened on 5 April 2026

The Incorporated Societies Act 1908 was repealed at midnight on 5 April 2026. Any society that hadn't re-registered under the new 2022 Act by that point was removed from the Incorporated Societies Register on 6 April 2026.

That removal isn't a paperwork issue. Legally, your society stopped existing as an incorporated entity. That has real consequences.

The good news: restoration is open until 2032

The Companies Office allows restoration applications for societies removed on 6 April 2026 right up until 5 April 2032. That's a six-year window — plenty of time, but every month you wait is another month of uncertainty for your members, contracts and assets.

If your application is successful, the society is treated as if it had never been removed. Bank accounts, contracts, sponsorships and lease arrangements all snap back into place. The slate is clean.

What you'll need

Restoration isn't just a "tick a box" process. The Companies Office will only restore a society that's ready to operate properly under the 2022 Act. You'll need:

• A compliant constitution — one that meets all the requirements of section 26 of the 2022 Act. Your old 1908-era rules almost certainly won't pass
• Up-to-date contact details — the registered office address, addresses for communication, and at least one nominated contact person
• Officer details — name, physical address, email and start date for every officer, plus their written consent and eligibility certification
• At least 10 active members who have actually consented to being members
• Outstanding 1908 Act obligations sorted — any financial statements that should have been filed before the deadline

What it costs

The Companies Office charges $177.78 + GST for the restoration application itself. That's the government fee, payable directly when you lodge.

You'll also have your own preparation costs — drafting a compliant constitution, getting officer consents, putting the package together. Some societies do all of this themselves; others bring in a specialist to handle it. Lawyers typically charge $1,500–$3,500 for the full job. We do it for $449 plus the government fee.

Step-by-step

What if you decide not to restore?

Some committees, on reflection, decide their society has run its course. That's a valid choice — but it can't just be left to drift. If you don't restore, any surplus assets must be distributed to one or more not-for-profit entities after outstanding debts and liabilities are paid. There's no option to distribute to members.

If you're going down this path, get advice on how to wind things up properly. Done badly, this is where personal liability for committee members becomes a real risk.

Common questions

Can we keep operating in the meantime?

Technically, anyone running activities (events, competitions, meetings) is now doing so in a personal capacity, not as the society. That carries personal liability risk. Most societies pause operations or operate cautiously while restoration is in progress.

Can someone else take our name?

Yes. Once removed, your society's name becomes available for another group to register. If your name is distinctive and important to your identity, restoring sooner rather than later matters.

What about our bank account?

This is bank-specific. Many banks freeze accounts for entities that no longer legally exist. Talk to your bank about your options — some will hold the account in suspension during restoration.