If your organisation is an incorporated society, you must update its constitution to align with the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 and reregister by 5 April 2026, or you risk being deregistered (losing legal status). ✅ What the Act means for your constitution Your society’s constitution must now include: - A clear statement of purpose (not for the private financial gain of members) - Rules about how someone becomes a member and how they can cease to be a member. - A committee/board (minimum 3 officers) and definitions of their roles, duties, and eligibility. - A dispute-resolution procedure and an assets-distribution clause (for what happens if the society winds up) - Compliance with new officer duties (e.g., act in the best interests of the society, avoid serious risk to creditors) ⏳ Deadline & risk - Societies that were incorporated under the old Act (Incorporated Societies Act 1908) must reregister under the 2022 Act by 5 April 2026. - If you miss the date, your society can be removed from the register and cease to exist as a legal entity. 🤔 What you should do now - Review your current constitution/rules document and compare it to what’s required under the new Act. - Engage your members: hold a special general meeting (or include it in the AGM) to approve required changes. - Once approved, lodge the updated constitution and application to reregister with the New Zealand Companies Office/Incorporated Societies Register. 📌 Why this matters Updating your constitution ensures: - Your society stays legal and can continue to hold property, enter contracts, receive grants or donations. - Governance is clearer, roles are defined, risk of personal liability for officers is reduced. - Your society remains credible when applying for funding (such as from community funds) and engaging with your whānau/hapū.

He kaupapa tautoko i te hapori, mō te hapori. The Community Resilience Fund (Te Puni Kōkiri) is open for applications! This fund supports initiatives that build stronger whānau, hapū, marae, and communities across Aotearoa. 🟣 Purpose This funding helps whānau and organisations deliver initiatives that strengthen Māori development and resilience. It’s designed to make a real difference — helping projects happen that might not otherwise go aheadCommunity Resilience Info Sheet…. 🌿 Focus Areas 1. Marae Development 2. Rangatahi Pathways 3. Te Ao Māori Initiatives 💰 Funding Details - No minimum co-investment required (but in-kind or shared contributions can be included). - Supports costs for planning, expert advice, training, or delivery of kaupapa. - Funding is intended to complement other sources, not replace themCommunity Resilience Info Sheet…. 🌈 Who Can Apply - Marae with active, engaged whānau - Organisations or providers supporting rangatahi Māori - Initiatives led by or in partnership with iwi, hapū, or local Māori organisationsCommunity Resilience Info Sheet… 🚫 Not Funded - Projects already funded through other Government funds - Business-as-usual activities - Proposals outside the scope of the investment outcomesCommunity Resilience Info Sheet… 📍 Apply Now Visit the Te Puni Kōkiri website for full details and application forms:🔗 tpk.govt.nz/funding/community-resilience “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.” 💜 #TePuniKōkiri #CommunityResilienceFund #MaraeDevelopment #Rangatahi #TeAoMāori #FundingSupport #HaporiStrong