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Charities

This category contains 29 posts

Better

Better Public Media Trust (the Trust) appeals against a High Court decision declining its registration as a charitable trust. The key issue on appeal as noted at [2] is: As noted at [5]: “… We are required to assess the facts and apply the relevant law to those facts. In this case, that involves us … Continue reading

Inherent jurisdiction utilised to adopt trust deed

Section 8 of the Trusts Act 2019 confirms the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court to supervise and intervene in the administration of a trust (except to the extent that the Trusts Act provides otherwise). Te Whanau Tupu Ngatahi O Aotearoa Playcentre Aotearoa relates to application for approval of changes to the a charitable trust incorporated … Continue reading

Variation or scheme?

If the terms of a charitable trust whose purposes have become frustrated contain a power of variation the trustees are confronted with whether to vary pursuant to the terms or to seek approval for a scheme under Part 3 of the Charitable Trusts Act 1957. In Re Trevor Wilson Trustee Limited [2022] NZHC 2118 Dunningham … Continue reading

An education

The Supreme Court has overturned the Court of Appeal decision Family First New Zealand v Attorney-General. See Family First to keep the home fires burning. The history of this case is complex. On 15 April 2013 the (then) Charities Registration Board resolved to de-register Family First New Zealand (Family First) as a registered charity on … Continue reading

Integrity of Trust Administration

Singh v Attorney General is an application under part 5 of the Trusts Act 2019 and pursuant to the High Court rules to defend the applicants’ removal as trustees of the Sikh Sangat NZ Trust (the Trust) and for a Beddoe Order. The applicants separately seek the removal of the Trust’s founding trustee and an … Continue reading

The spirit of philanthropy

Muir J’s opening observation in Re Hugh Green Trusts is that “The spirit of philanthropy is no better demonstrated in New Zealand than by the Green family.” Matters involving the Hugh Green Trust and the Hugh Green Property Trust (the Trusts), came before the court for directions pursuant to section 133 of the Trusts Act … Continue reading

Consolidation practical and expedient

New Zealand has a large number of charitable trusts, which can be considered a reflection of a strong underlying philanthropic aspect of New Zealand culture. However, management of assets on account of charitable purposes comes at a cost, which means that sometimes smaller charities might better achieve their purposes through amalgamation of consolidation. This was … Continue reading

Charities and the Trusts Act

The Trusts Act 2019 applies to all express trusts, including charitable trusts. Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand hosted a recent webinar with presenters from Charities Services and Vicki Ammundsen Trust Law Limited exploring the application of the Trusts Act to charitable trusts. See Sharing Knowledge Series: Trust Law Changes and Charities. What Do the … Continue reading

Empty Table

In the Matter of the Representation of First Island Trustees Limited raises interesting considerations about the position of a trustee who finds itself in a situation where the family who was to benefit has effectively disavowed the Trust.  The decision also highlights the practical aspect of anti-money laundering obligations and client due diligence where there … Continue reading

Family First to keep the home fires burning

In the first significant decision since the Supreme Court decision in Greenpeace the majority of the Court of Appeal has allowed the appeal in Family First New Zealand v Attorney-General against the decision to de-register it as a charity.  The High Court had previously considered that Family First did not qualify for registration as its … Continue reading

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