Thousands of charities have been threatened with being thrown off the official register. Photo: 123RF
Time is running out for charities, sports clubs and other incorporated societies which could cease to exist if they don't re-register under new legislation. There are nearly 24,000 Incorporated Societies currently registered. Of that, 13,000 or just over half that number, have re-registered under the new Act, but 2 thousand of those are brand new societies. The Business Registry at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment, estimates nearly 5,000 are charities. The re-registration is quite a complex process and societies only have just over two months to get it done or they will lose access to bank accounts, the rights to their names and any contracts will become null and void. Kathryn speaks to Rahul Watson Govindan, the former chief executive of Philanthropy New Zealand.
