Society Re-registration - Canterbury Legal

The April 2026 Deadline Isn’t Optional.

Every NZ Incorporated Society Must Re-register by 5 April 2026. But it's more than submitting a piece of paper.

Will you be held personally liable?

Members could become personally liable for debts and other costs related to incorrect re-regisration.

If your society isn’t re-registered Correctly, you risk:

Losing legal status
Losing access to funding
Exposing office holders to personal liability
Reputational damage with members and stakeholders

not sure where to start?
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Get Your Society Ready With Fixed-Fee Compliance, Handled by Legal Experts.

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Sure you’ve got it right?

You might assume your constitution or officer setup is fine — but many societies are already falling short under the new rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we really need member approval to re-register?

Yes. Membership approval is required both for the decision to re-register and for any required constitution changes. That’s why your AGM is so important.

What if we’ve already had our AGM?

You may need a special general meeting to get member approval. We can help draft the notices and resolutions you’ll need.

Can smaller, volunteer-run societies afford this?

Our fixed-fee packages are designed with volunteer committees in mind. You’ll know the cost up front — no surprises.

We think our constitution is fine. Can you just check it?

Yes. That’s exactly what our Readiness Review package is for. We’ll confirm if you’re compliant — or show you what needs to change.