The role of Charities Services
What the agency does and how it operates
Charities Services operates independently of the Companies Office and the Charitable Trusts Register.
The agency administers the Charities Act 2005, and is responsible for registering and monitoring charitable organisations in New Zealand, as well as providing support and education to the charitable sector on good governance and management. Its role is to:
- maintain and monitor a register of charities
- receive annual returns and monitor the activities of charities
- promote public trust in charitable organisations
- provide education and assistance to the charitable sector
- encourage best practice in governance and use of resources
- stimulate and promote research about the charitable sector
- provide advice on matters relating to charities.
Te Rātā Atawhai, the independent Charities Registration Board, makes all decisions on registration and deregistration, but delegates straight forward decisions to Charities Services.
Registering with Charities Services is voluntary and costs nothing. Registered charities are required to file an annual return along with a performance report or financial statements with Charities Services. They must also pay an annual fee to Charities Services if their income exceeds $10,000. Failure to provide annual returns is the most common reason for being removed from the Charities Register.
Registered charities may qualify for certain tax benefits, including tax exemptions for all or some of their income, and donee status, which allows donors to claim tax credits on donations.
The Charities Register
The Charities Register contains information about more than 27,000 registered charities operating under the rules of the Charities Act 2005. It summarises each charity’s purpose and activities, and includes their annual returns and performance report or financial statements.
Once registered, organisations are required to notify Charities Services if certain details about their organisation changes.
You can apply to register, and search for details of registered charities, on the Charities Services website.
Contact details for Charities Services
Website address
Email address
Freephone (within New Zealand)
0508 CHARITIES (0508 242 748)
Calling from outside New Zealand
+64 9 339 0848
Postal address
Charities Services
P O Box 12138
Thorndon
Wellington Central 6011
Physical address
Charities Services
45 Pipitea Street
Wellington Central 6011
