Updated June 2026

The Charities Act 2005 (the Act) supports transparency by making information about registered charities publicly available. This helps build public trust and confidence in the charitable sector.

The Act requires most information on the Charities Register to be publicly accessible. However, Charities Services can restrict access to information if it is in the public interest to do so. This is a high threshold. For example, we may restrict an officer’s name if publishing it could put their safety at risk.

We do not publish officers’ dates of birth or home addresses. You do not need to request that this information be withheld.

What information the Register usually shows

Section 24 of the Act requires the Charities Register to include:

• the charity’s name
• address for service
• registration number
• current officers and all past officers since registration
• rules document
• application details.

The Register must also include:

• annual returns
• financial statements
• any updates filed by the charity.

Can information be restricted from public view?

Yes. Under Section 25 of the Act, Charities Services may restrict access to any information or documents on the Register if it considers it in the public interest to do so.

What “public interest” means

The Act does not define “public interest”. We apply its plain meaning, taking into account that one purpose of the Act is to promote public trust and confidence in the charitable sector.

Transparency is a core part of our role. Any reason to restrict information must outweigh the public interest in making that information available.

Examples of when information may be restricted

We may restrict information where it supports a clear public interest, such as:

Protecting health or safety

For example:

• a women’s refuge may request that officer names and its physical location are not publicly available

Protecting privacy

For example:

• donor details where donations were made on the condition of anonymity
• salary or employment details that identify individual staff members

Preventing misuse or fraud

For example:

• removing signatures of officers to reduce the risk of misuse

Protecting commercial interests

A charity must show a clear link between publication and unreasonable harm to its commercial position.

For example:

• where disclosure of financial information could affect negotiations to purchase a business or asset

This is not a complete list. We will consider any relevant public interest in the circumstances.

Reasons unlikely to be accepted

We are unlikely to approve requests based on:

• potential embarrassment to the charity or individuals
• concern that the financial position will be visible
• claims there is no public interest in the charity’s finances
• the charity does not receive public funding or donations
• the charity is inactive
• a preference to keep financial information private
• concerns the information is technical or may be misunderstood
• risk of confusion or debate
• the information is in draft or not yet audited
• officers have not yet reviewed the information
• concern that publishing will lead to funding requests
• the information is already publicly available elsewhere.

Registered charities may receive benefits, such as tax exemptions and access to funding. To support transparency and public trust, their financial information is generally available to the public.

How to apply to restrict information

You can request to restrict information by submitting a written request. Include:

• what information you want restricted
• why restricting it is in the public interest
• evidence to support your request.

If your request relates to commercial sensitivity or risk of misuse, also include:

• the commercial activities you want to protect
• the specific information you want withheld
• the likely harm or risk
• how publication would cause that harm
• why the harm would be unreasonable in the circumstances.

Send your request at the same time you submit the information it relates to. This may be during registration or when updating your details.

If you want part of a document restricted:

• provide a complete, unedited version
• you may be asked to provide an edited version for publication.

If you update information that is already restricted, you must request that it remains restricted. Contact us if you need more guidance.

What happens if your request is declined

If we do not agree to your request, we will contact you before publishing the information.

You can then choose to:

• withdraw your request
• amend your request
• stop your application or request deregistration
• seek a judicial review in the High Court
• make a complaint to the Ombudsman.

Who can access restricted information

Government agencies

We are required to provide access to certain government agencies, such as Inland Revenue and Statistics New Zealand.

Official Information Act requests

Information that is not publicly available may still be requested under the Official Information Act.

We assess these requests on a case-by-case basis under that Act.