Legal decisions under the Charities Act 2005: FAQs

Updated June 2026

We carefully consider all available information when making decisions. This helps ensure each decision is a proper use of our powers and aligns with our statutory objectives.

Some decisions may not be favourable to organisations. These can include: 
 

  • Declining an application for registration.
  • Deregistering an organisation.
  • Refusing a request to restrict information on the Charities Register.

We take care to ensure all decisions are well-reasoned, accurate and consistent with our statutory responsibilities. 

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Do we publish reasons for all decisions?

No. We only publish the decisions made by the Charities Registration Board (the Board).

Most registration applications are finalised by Charities Services without proceeding to a formal Board decision. These include: 
 

  • applications that are approved
  • applications that are withdrawn
  • applications that are administratively declined after we notify the applicant that it does not meet the requirements.

Most removals from the Charities Register also do not involve a Board decision. These include: 
 

  • voluntary removals requested by the organisation.
  • administrative removals for not filing an annual return, as required by the Charities Act 2005 (the Act).

What is the difference between declining registration and deregistration?

Application for registration declined

This means the organisation applied to register as a charity, but we declined the application. 
 

  • the organisation is not registered
  • its details do not appear on the Charities Register.

Organisation deregistered

This means the organisation was previously registered as a charity but has been removed from the Charities Register. 
 

  • the register shows the date of deregistration
  • the register also includes the reason for the deregistration.

When do we publish decisions?

We publish Board decisions on our website shortly after we provide a copy to the organisation involved. We publish court judgments made under the Act as soon as possible after we receive them.

Why not approve every application?

To be registered, and to remain registered, an organisation must: 
 

  • be wholly and exclusively charitable
  • meet all criteria set out in the Act.

We assess every application individually to ensure it meets New Zealand law. We also monitor registered charities and may remove them from the Register if they no longer meet the requirements.

Do we comment publicly on court judgments?

No, we do not comment on court judgments. However, we may: 
 

  • refer to judgments when explaining how we apply charities law
  • use them to explain the principles behind our decisions.

Do we publish other information about our regulatory work?

Yes. We may publish additional information about our regulatory activity, such as: 

  • content in newsletters
  • findings from completed investigations into wrongdoing.