Rangahau
What does a world-leading framework of charities law look like?

Photo by Samuel Ferrara on Unsplash

 

Draft bill

As part of the research, Sue has drafted a bill that would amend and restate the New Zealand Charities Act 2005: the thinking was to have a starting place for discussion, and then subject that thinking to challenge over the course of the research.

 

The goal is to consult with key stakeholders first, drawing on their collective expertise to make the draft as robust as possible, and then to consult more widely with a view, ultimately, to developing a proposal for reform that could genuinely meet the standard of being “by the sector for the sector”.

If you are interested in being involved with this research, please get in touch - any and all comments would be very welcome and very much appreciated!

As part of the research, we have also reviewed all 363 submissions made to the Government’s review. 

 

Other jurisdictions 

 

In addition to allowing a critical examination of how the current regime is working in New Zealand, the New Zealand Law Foundation International Research Fellowship allows research to be undertaken into the charities law frameworks of 5 other jurisdictions comparable to New Zealand: Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and the United States. 

Thank you for the feedback we have been receiving so far:

“Thank you for the contribution you are making to this area of law.”

“I am so grateful for the time and energy you have dedicated so far on this amazing project.”

 
 

“I am very impressed. It is absolutely apparent that this area is a passion as well as a profession. I am personally thankful that there is an investment of the effort and talent shown in that draft for the sake of New Zealand at this pivotal, cross roads time.”

 

“Firstly, can I congratulate you on the incredible work you’ve been doing. The charitable sector is one of New Zealand’s pou tokomanawa – it deserves to have strong foundations, and a legislative framework that upholds its radical potential by holding us all accountable to a biculturally ethical framework, enabling transparent resourcing, impactful work, and the reduction of bureaucratic drag. I think your work reflects each of these dimensions.”

 

“My inner former lawyer is doing a happy dance after reading the draft bill!! I have all of my fingers and toes crossed that this doesn’t simply sit with a Minister somewhere after all of your hard work. I LOVED it! I think this addresses so many of the issues that I saw working as a lawyer in this field and now being involved as a funder of the sector.”

 

“Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft bill and for all your work on this. It is heartening to know that someone with the not for profit sector at heart is undertaking this mahi.”

 

“Thanks for the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Bill. I think this is a great document. The ‘purpose’ section is a lot more dynamic than the current version, and I think this carries through into the detail. I agree that, as long as charities are legitimately acting to further their charitable purposes, there should not be a heavy regulative hand on how they operate, or in particular, on their ability to advocate for their causes (provided we are not promoting particular parties or inciting hate, as you have pointed out).”

 

“The opportunity to peruse and comment on the draft bill is greatly appreciated. In overview, the document is impressive, with themes from the recent round of public meetings held in respect of the review of the Charities Act 2005 being obvious as a respectful uptake of concerns and suggestions raised from practitioners.”