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Message from Natasha
Kia ora koutou
I wanted to reach out to ensure you have the information and support that you need during this challenging time.
Firstly, I would like to thank you for the mahi (work) you’re doing to support communities across Aotearoa throughout lockdown. As we've seen during previous lockdowns, the charitable sector has demonstrated generosity, resilience and collaboration. Charities have come together to ensure vulnerable communities are safe and supported.
Natasha Weight, General Manager
I want you to know that we’re here to support registered charities. We have updated the COVID-19 pages on our website with new information and guidance, including frequently asked questions, you can find the relevant links in the article below. We understand that charities will be facing significant challenges due to the pandemic, so we’ll be taking a flexible approach to compliance. If your charity needs an extension to file its annual return, please see the information below.
In this pānui (newsletter) I’m also excited to announce the date of our Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held on Friday 29 October in Auckland. Find more information below.
We are currently working from home and will be open for business at all alert levels. As always, we’re here to help.
Thank you for your important mahi during this challenging time.
He waka eke noa.
We're all in this together.
Natasha Weight
General Manager, Kaiwhakahaere Matua
New Zealand Government COVID-19 information
All charities should read the guidelines and follow updates on the Government’s COVID-19 website. When your charity is planning their COVID-19 response, ensure you are following up to date advice from the government and the alert level guidelines.
Information on COVID-19 for charities
We have updated the COVID-19 pages on our website with new information and guidance for charities.
Our website covers:
- information on COVID-19 for registered charities
- information on how to support charities for the public
- other useful resources for charities
- how Charities Services will be working through the lockdown period.
These pages include answers to questions such as:
- What if I have had to cancel or postpone my Annual General Meeting?
- What if I need an extension to file my annual return?
- What if my auditor/reviewer can’t do an on-site visit?
- What else should my committee or board think about?
- How can I fundraise at Alert Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4?
- What funding is available to support my charity throughout COVID-19?
Charities Services will be open for business at all alert levels. Please get in touch with us via email at info@charities.govt.nz.
Our colleagues at Hāpai Hapori Community Operations also remain open during all alert levels. They have provided important funding dates on their website.
Annual reporting during COVID-19
We understand that the pandemic may make it difficult for charities to complete their annual reporting, so we will be taking a flexible and pragmatic approach to compliance.
We do not want to increase the pressures faced by charities, so we have temporarily stopped sending all annual return reminders. If you need to submit your annual return soon, we will be in contact after Aotearoa is out of lockdown.
If your charity has a balance date (end of financial year) of 31 March 2021, your annual return is due by 30 September 2021. If you are in a position to file, you can submit your annual return now. However, we won’t be taking any action on late annual returns if your charity is based in a region that is at Alert Level 3 or 4.
If you need an extension to file your annual return, please get in touch. We will be approving extensions for up to three months. You can email us at info@charities.govt.nz or call us and leave a message (0508 242 748), we will call you back as soon as we can.
Charities Services Annual Meeting – Save the date!
We’ve been preparing for our 2021 Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held on Friday 29 October. Depending on COVID-19 alert levels, this year’s meeting may be held remotely. Even if the meeting is held in-person, there will also be an option to attend remotely.
An invitation, and information on how to register, will be sent to all registered charities soon.
Online one-on-one clinics
We are continuing to run our online one-on-one clinics every Thursday.
If you have questions about being a registered charity, sign up for a clinic to speak one-on-one with a Charities Services staff member.
We have a range of appointments available depending on what questions you need answered. Financial reporting, funding, registration and general appointments are available with Charities Services and Hāpai Hapori Community Operations staff.
RESOURCES
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