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Key points for media
Updated October 2011
The Charities Commission is your first port of call on issues affecting New Zealand charities.
Background
The Charities Commission was established on 1 July 2005 as an autonomous Crown Entity.
It is headed by Chief Executive Trevor Garrett, and governed by a Board appointed by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, the Hon Tariana Turia.
Functions
The functions of the Charities Commission are determined by the Charities Act, which was passed in April 2005. Broadly, these are:
- to register and monitor charitable entities in New Zealand and
- to provide education and support to the charitable sector.
The Charities Commission also:
- promotes public confidence in the charitable sector
- encourages good practice in the governance and management of charitable organisations
- provides advice on matters relating to charities to government and
- promotes or undertakes research into matters relating to charities.
The Charities Register
The Charities Register opened to accept applications for registration from charitable organisations on 1 February 2007.
Changes to the Income Tax Act 2004 mean that only charities registered with the Commission are eligible for tax exemptions.
Tax exempt status means registered charities don’t have to pay income tax (including resident withholding tax). The changes took effect on 1 July 2008.
Registration is voluntary and has no bearing on the legal status or donee status of an organisation.
The public are able to search the Register online at www.charities.govt.nz for information about the nature, activities and purposes of registered charities in New Zealand.
The financial information of charities whose Annual Returns have fallen due and been filed are also available to view.
If a charity is on the Register, you can be sure that that it has proven to the Charities Commission that it has a charitable purpose.
For information about the regulatory regime for charities prior to the enactment of the Charities Act 2005, see our FAQ –What was the situation before the Commission was established by the Charities Act?
In the public interest
The Charities Register helps New Zealanders to make well informed decisions about the charities they wish to support.
Charities registered under the Charities Act receive a unique registration number, which indicates to the public that the charity has met the requirements of registration. Members of the public are entitled to ask fundraisers for this number in situations where there is any doubt about a charity’s legitimacy.
Enforcement
The Charities Commission has the authority to impose penalties, undertake formal investigations or deregister charities that are not fulfilling their described charitable purpose or have seriously failed to comply with the Act.
Key people
Chief Executive
Trevor Garrett
Minister, Community and Voluntary Sector
Hon Tariana Turia
Charities Commission information line
0508 CHARITIES (0508 242 748)
Further information
For more information, contact our Communications Manager Sandra Bennett on 04 978 7782 or email sandra.bennett@charities.govt.nz
