NZTA Supports Charities Commission Restructuring

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The New Zealand Trustees Association has announced support for the Government’s restructuring proposal to absorb the Charities Commission into the Department of Internal Affairs.

Wellington, NZ, August 26, 2011 -- The New Zealand Trustees Association has announced support for the Government’s restructuring proposal to absorb the Charities Commission into the Department of Internal Affairs.

NZTA President Jim Gray said “By moving the Charities Commission into the DIA at the same time as reviewing the Charities Act 2005, there will be an opportunity to create a clearer and less costly process for appeal by charities denied registration.”

Currently the cost of challenging denial of registration is prohibitive for all but the largest of charities where a High Court response is the only process, and where charities have also been required to dissect their organisation into charitable and non-charitable entities at more cost.

Mr Gray said “The Trustees Association was instrumental in development of the Commission in the late 1990’s and now is equally supportive of a restructuring for economic and procedural benefits to meet the needs of the charitable sector.”

NZTA found the Commission was far too inflexible with their legal section’s interpretation of the Charities Act to the detriment of some of New Zealand’s well known and respected charities.