Created: June 19, 2020 at 5:11 PM | Updated: March 27, 2025 | By NZ Navigator Trust
Charities need to ensure they are independent from political parties and candidates, particularly in election years.
Why? The most important thing is ensuring that any activity charities carry out is in support of their charitable purpose, and in the best interests of their charity.
This is because an organisation set up to be a political party or support a political party cannot be a charity.
Although charities must not support or oppose a political party or candidate, there are lots of ways that charities can express support for a particular policy of a political party.
You can find out more about what your charity can and cannot do here: https://charities.govt.nz/im-a-registered-charity/running-your-charity/charities-elections-and-political-parties/
Charities are a valuable and trusted voice on issues that affect their communities. Charities can and do speak up in a variety of ways - you can read more about ensuring your organisation is heard here: https://www.charities.govt.nz/ready-to-register/need-to-know-to-register/charitable-purpose/advocacy-for-causes/