Charities Commission to be disestablished, functions transferred
Cabinet has confirmed a plan to disestablish the Charities Commission and transfer its core functions to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
A three person statutory board will be established with decision-making powers concerning registration and de-registration functions.
The aim is for the changes to come into effect in the middle of 2012. Details are yet to be confirmed, but the Commission is working with DIA to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible, and that any impact on charities and the public is minimised.
Charities should continue to comply with the Charities Act, and will be kept informed as more detail becomes known.
For more, see the Minister's announcement and the Crown Entities Reform Bill disestablishing the Commission, which was introduced to the House on 29 September, and had its first reading on 4 October.
The Bill has now been referred to the Government Administration Committee.