NFP Resource (website and newsletter) is an independent resource dedicated to the NZ non-profit sector.
We are pleased to offer this site to provide co-operative support to Not for Profit (non-profit) organisations and charities in New Zealand and those considering establishing such bodies. To stay in the loop, subscribe to our newsletter.
The charity (nonprofit) sector in NZ is vibrant, diverse and active. In June 2016, Statistics NZ stated that Non-profit organisations contribute $6 Billion to the NZ economy. “More than 140,000 people work full time in the sector, which is equal to 5% of the New Zealand workforce. On top of this, more than 235,000 people volunteer their time each week for charities.” – DIA Charities Services newsletter Oct 2020.
The advent of the Charities Commission (now Charities Services, a part of the Department of Internal Affairs) in 2005 led to much discussion about not-for-profit organisations and a surge of registrations to become a NZ Registered Charity.
The introduction of accounting standards by the XRB and the subsequent requirement that Registered NZ Charities render a Performance Report to XRB standards as part of the Annual Return has generated considerable discussion and interest.
The Incorporated Societies Act 2022 updated and replaced the 1908 Act and is being progressively brought into force. Consultation is currently underway into updating the Charities Act 2005 (see comment here)
We receive a number of requests for information about non-profit organisations and charities in New Zealand and their organisation etc.
In the hope that it may assist, we provide a number of responses to frequently asked questions (search for the topic or tag at right under ‘Posts’ or ‘Archives’) based upon our experience. FAQ page.
As the government information pages change frequently there may be errors in some links. Please let us know of any mistakes or dead links you note in these.
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NFP Resource cannot accept any responsibility for any information provided in this site. This information is provided in good faith and any errors or omissions are regretted. Please let us know of any errors you find.
By NFP Resource Editor (acknowledging search assistance from Perplexity AI) As we enter 2025, charities and non-profit organisations in New Zealand are facing a number of significant challenges. These are little changed from problems we Read more…
In the dynamic landscape of New Zealand’s non-profit sector, good governance is not just a buzzword—it’s the cornerstone of organisational success and sustainability. Many well-meaning individuals step into trustee or officer roles in non-profits driven Read more…
Reports in various media outlets suggest that approximately $2 billion in ‘profits’ within New Zealand’s charitable sector is not subject to tax, and the Finance Minister is reported to be considering whether some charities may Read more…
Dr John Godfrey publishes a periodic blog, principally on fundraising matters. After an introduction, a recent blog starts: “The Third Sector in Aotearoa has significant size. It represents around 4% of GDP and about the Read more…
(In this post we use the term ‘charity’ generically to include such terms as public good entity, non-profit, registered charity, society, foundation, ngo and so on.) -o0o- Charity work is a “noble cause”; many are Read more…
With a number of charities struggling to survive, and news recently of a number closing down or seriously considering it (see note below), it was good to see some financial advice for charities recently posted Read more…