New Zealand’s incorporated societies sector is undergoing its most significant legal reform in over a century. The Incorporated Societies Act 2022 replaces the Incorporated Societies Act 1908, modernising the legal, governance, and accountability framework for the country’s 23,000+ incorporated societies. All existing societies must re-register under the new Act by 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 same percent of the workforce. The workforce is larger than either Agriculture or Tourism, two Read more…
A recent newsletter from RAINEY COLLINS LAWYERS discussed the above topic. The article starts: “There are some key differences between charitable trusts and incorporated societies. Which entity works best for you will depend on the type and goals of your organisation. Incorporated society An incorporated society is a membership-based organisation. Read more…
Updated 31 May 2024 Q: We are a church which is a Registered NZ Charity. Some members have suggested that we should, in addition to registration with DIA Charities Services, ‘Incorporate’ with the Companies Office (Registrar of Incorporated Societies). Is this step necessary or advisable? What are the pros and Read more…
I want to form a non-profit organisation. How do I go about it ? The relevant information is contained on the website of the Registrar of Incorporated Societies and there are Fact Sheets on the Charities website. You should consider consulting a lawyer over legal requirements, but the requirements are Read more…
The following is taken from a media-release issued by Seed the Change | He Kākano Hāpai on 3 October 2023. We are publishing it here as the information is of general interest/importance to NZ Charities. Opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of NFP Resource. The main Read more…
The Charities Act 2005 has been amended by the Charities Amendment Bill, which came into force on 5 July 2023. There are a wide range of changes for charities to be aware of. DIA Charities advise that they will keep updating their website with information about the changes and when they will affect Read more…
Charities registered with DIA Charities Services are required to file an Annual Return. This can be done fairly easily on-line. The Registrar of Incorporated Societies requires annual information from those non profits (ie charitable trusts and incorporated societies) that are not also registered with DIA Charities Services (ie the requirements Read more…
Q: Can you define a not for profit organisation? “There is no single agreed term that fully describes the nonprofit sector in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Rather, a number of terms are commonly used that refer to all or part of it. The application of these terms to organizations and to fields Read more…
(Updated) In our discussions with those thinking about establishing a not-for-profit organization, it is apparent that there is still a lot of confusion about the terms ‘non-profit’, ‘not for profit’ etc. The various terms are used imprecisely and interchangeably, though the term ‘Registered Charity’ is used to refer to an organisation Read more…
Media release – NZ Government – Select Committee Office – 16 June 2016 Charities Amendment Bill The Government Administration Committee is seeking submissions on the Charities Amendment Bill. The closing date for submissions is Friday 29 July 2016. The amendments in the bill were formerly contained in the Statutes Amendment Read more…
We are a registered charity. When and where should our Charity Number be used? Your registration number (in the form CC12345) should be shown at least on letterheads, brochures, donation forms and anything which can be construed as seeking or accounting for funds. Charities Services recently published this advice: “Every registered Read more…