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Monthly update 4 - November 2005

In brief: Work continues on the forms, Group registration questions, Guidelines coming to help, Key staff appointed.

Work continues on the forms

Thank you to all of you who provided feedback on our draft forms last month. We received more than 60 submissions, on the content and clarity of the forms, which are now being considered by the Commission.

This latest round of consultation follows workshops held during August and September this year which resulted in substantial changes to the initial drafts: we simplified the language, reduced the amount of information required and lowered the number of forms from 10 to seven. These forms cover a range of purposes; charities won’t be required to fill out all the forms at any one time.

We expect to have final forms established by Regulation by the end of April 2006 after which they will be available for use, both on our website at www.charities.govt.nz and in hard copy.

Group registration

Many of you have raised questions about group registration. For example, what happens when a parent entity applies for registration where it does not have charitable status or purpose but its subsidiary charities do? Can a group submit one set of consolidated accounts for all the organisations in that group? And would group Officers have to take responsibility for subsidiary Officers?

The Commission is now exploring answers to these questions and will provide guidance on group registration in the New Year. In the meantime, parent entities wishing to have a group of charities register as a group charity will be required to both complete a group registration form and provide a submission to the Commission. This submission needs to demonstrate how the group, and each charity within the group, meet the various requirements for registration.

We will help you with the registration process

While the registration process is not expected to be difficult, the Commission is developing guidelines to help organisations with the process. These guidelines will include a comprehensive checklist on what you need to provide with your application. We will have answers to all your questions, advice, if you need it, on governing documents, and a glossary of relevant terms.

When the final forms are posted on our website next year, they will be accompanied by an on-line tutorial. This will also be available in hard copy, and on CD, for those of you who choose not to register on-line.

Over the past few weeks our Chief Executive, Trevor Garrett, has met with charities all over the country to talk about the Commission and hear their views on the registration of charities in New Zealand. If you would like Trevor to talk with your group, please contact Kate Williams on (04) 978 7798 to arrange a meeting.

Who’s who in the Commission

Since it came into existence in July this year, the Commission has been building up its team of some 20 permanent staff. Of the five managers who will report to the Chief Executive, four have now been appointed:

For more information

Visit our website at www.charities.govt.nz for the latest information on the Commission’s activities, and on the registration process.

Free phone: 0508 242 748

These updates will be provided monthly.