Constitution Template for Incorporated Societies

A cost-effective constitution update for smaller societies

To support Incorporated Societies re-registering under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022, we have introduced a legally compliant and cost-effective Constitution Template option.

All incorporated societies in New Zealand must re-register under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 by 5 April 2026. If you do not re-register by that date, your society will cease to exist.

Before a society can re-register, it must first update its constitution so that it complies with the new Act. Many, if not most, existing constitutions will not meet the Act’s mandatory requirements.

Not every society needs a fully bespoke constitution. If you want a practical, compliant document at a lower price point, our Constitution Template option is designed for you.

You get a clear, robust constitution that meets your legal obligations, without the time and cost of extensive custom drafting.

Our experienced team are legal experts on incorporated societies in New Zealand and have helped hundreds of societies update their constitutions and prepare for re-registration. We focus on making the process clear, efficient, and aligned with what the Act requires.

Learn more about our Constitution Template below and get in touch with our team to get started.

Steven Moe
Partner
Member of Charities Services Sector Group, XRB Advisory Panel, EHF Fellow, Author of Charities in New Zealand

stevenmoe@parryfield.com

Rebecca Carruthers
Associate

Ai Li Kueh
Senior Solicitor

Sophie Greenhalgh
Senior Solicitor

Annemarie Mora
Solicitor

What you get with our Constitution Template Option

Template-based constitution with limited customisation

Starting from $1900+GST

We prepare a new constitution using our proven template, which already complies with Section 26 of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.

We then tailor a small number of key clauses to reflect your society’s specific circumstances, while keeping the rest in a standard form.

Because the scope for changes is intentionally limited, this option is more cost-effective than a fully customised constitution, while still giving you a compliant foundation for re-registration.

This option is well suited to:

Smaller local community, hobby, or sporting societies
Societies with straightforward governance arrangements
Committees that want a clear, compliant constitution without extensive bespoke provisions
Societies seeking a practical way to meet re-registration requirements efficiently

If your society’s activities, structure, or governance needs are more complex, one of our other constitution-update options may be a better fit.

If you are unsure whether the template option will meet your needs, we can arrange a short phone call to discuss your circumstances and recommend the best approach.

For further information, reach out to us below.

Get in touch

With the 5 April 2026 deadline approaching, now is the time to start. Early action reduces pressure, gives you time to obtain member approval, and helps you avoid the risk of de-registration.

To discuss our Constitution Template option, or a more bespoke Constitution for your Society, complete the below form and our team will be in touch.