A Victoria University report, Fears, Constraints and Contracts suggests campaigning charities are increasingly fearful of speaking out about government policies because of gagging clauses in contracts, and concerns they could lose their funding. Researchers say 51.6% of the 153 charities surveyed feared losing contracts or grants as a result of criticising government actions. Nearly a third Read more
Research by a remuneration consultancy shows chief executives of charities in New Zealand are paid an average of $224,000 per year. Strategic Pay executive reward manager Jarrod Moyle says chief executives in the charitable sector are often motivated by a cause rather than the salary and many are paid a lot less than $220,000. Listen Read more
The Law Commission is calling on Parliament to update century-old legislation governing incorporated societies. The commission says the 23,000 societies play a vital role in the social fabric of New Zealand and cover everything from chess clubs to the New Zealand Rugby Union. But it says rules covering conflicts of interest and dispute resolution need Read more
Family First New Zealand says it will appeal a decision that will soon see it deregistered as a charity. Earlier this month, Family First received notification that the independent Charities Registration Board intends to deregister the group, because in their assessment it does not meet the requirements of a charity under the Charities Act 2005. Read more
Labour’s charity spokeswoman, Louisa Wall, and Christchurch charity expert Dr Michael Gousmett have criticised the lack of accountability of subsidised charitable organisations. Under the existing law charitable organisations are allowed tax relief, and receive subsidies with no public benefit test holding them to account. Gousmett says that while charities must make their financial accounts publicly Read more
New Zealand has no idea what charities are doing with their money nor whether they actually make a difference, says Dr Michael Gousmett, a member of the Australian Charity Law Association. As reported by Stuff, Gousmett says New Zealand Charities are not required by law to give a percentage of their surplus to the public benefit. Read more
Social organisations are pleading to be kept in mind during the central Christchurch rebuild. The new-look city centre is likely to have far fewer cheap premises because of the loss of old buildings, escalating construction costs, and buy-up of land for the green frame. Council of Social Services executive officer Sharon Torstonson said many social Read more
Catholic churches and charities in Russia have been targeted in a wave of raids on organisations with foreign links, which the government has labelled “foreign agents”. The raids on non-government organisations across the country prompted the German and French governments to summon Russian diplomats in Berlin and Paris to express their concern. “The Catholic Church Read more
A second discussion document from the Ministry of Commerce sets out new proposals regarding audit and assurance requirements for large and medium-sized charities. It follows a consultation on tentative proposals last year which indicated concerns that the requirements captured too many charities and that these charities were not resourced to meet the new demands. Under the new proposals, charities Read more
A bill was passed by Parliament on Thursday requiring professional fundraisers that raise money for on behalf of charities to disclose their fees and costs if the amount they retain exceeds more than of half the money collected. It received unanimous support. The Bill was drafted following reports that some professional fundraisers were keeping up Read more