Not-for-profits & Charities Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on not-for-profits & charities for new zealand businesses.

When Should You Use a Special Purpose Company in New Zealand?
A special purpose company can help New Zealand businesses ringfence a project, asset, investment or not-for-profit activity, but only if the structure and

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policies And Legal Requirements In NZ
If you’re running a small business, “doing the right thing” is usually already part of how you operate. You might be paying staff fairly, choosing ethical suppliers, cutting down waste, or supporting...

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Examples: Legal Considerations For NZ Businesses
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) can feel like something only big organisations have the time (or budget) to do properly. But in practice, CSR is often most powerful when it’s built into the...

What Is A Public Benevolent Institution? (2026 Updated)
If you’re running (or planning to start) a charity or social enterprise, you’ve probably come across the term Public Benevolent Institution (often shortened to PBI ) and wondered: “Is that something we...

False Charity Claims: What Can The Law Do? (2026 Updated)
Most people in New Zealand want to support good causes. Whether it’s donating to disaster relief, sponsoring a community initiative, or buying from a “for-purpose” brand, the trust we put in charities...
Setting Up a Charity – Part I: Get The Legal Structure Right (2026 Updated)
Running a small business often comes with a bigger purpose than just profit. Maybe you want to formalise your community work, create a charitable arm for your brand, or set up a...
Setting Up a Charity – Part II: Get Registered (2026 Updated)
If you’ve read Part I of this series, you’ve already done the hard (and very important) thinking: choosing the right legal structure for your charity and getting your governance foundations in place....

Beware: Why Your Charity May Be Disqualified (2026 Updated)
Running a charity is rewarding, but it also comes with responsibilities that can catch even experienced trustees off guard. And here’s the tricky part: a charity can be doing “good work” in...

Incorporated Associations: Everything You Need To Know
Incorporation isn’t just for businesses - not-for-profits can also choose to incorporate their organisation. Whether your organisation is a charitable trust, social club, non-governmental organisation, foundation, or community club, you have the...

How To Fundraise For Your Not-For-Profit In New Zealand
When you’re running a not-for-profit or a charity, one of your main tasks will be to raise money for your venture. Raising funds for your organisation can take various forms- you might...
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