4900 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector

4900 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector: Should organisations with a history of inciting violence or promoting hate speech be eligible for charitable status or government funding, if any such organisations exist?

Hon Louise Upston: As Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, I am unable to comment on the regulation of individual charities. These are matters for the independent Charities Registration Board (the Board) and the Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) to consider. The Department and the Board have the mandate to consider allegations of serious wrongdoing by registered charities. Serious wrongdoing under the Charities Act 2005 (the Act) has a specific definition and includes unlawful use of funds, actions that constitute a serious risk to the public interest, criminal offending, and actions that are oppressive, improperly discriminatory, or grossly negligent, or that constitute gross mismanagement. Each of these matters is considered by the Department, as the regulator, on a case-by-case basis. As the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, I expect every registered charity to comply with their obligations under the Act. Where wrongdoing is found, I would expect that appropriate and decisive action is taken. Allegations around potential criminal offending, including inciting violence or promoting hate speech, should be referred to the New Zealand Police.