Charitable Trusts Act 1957

Introduction

You could also call this:

"Updating and simplifying rules for groups that help others"

This act brings together and updates some laws about charitable trusts in New Zealand. Charitable trusts are organisations set up to help people or do good things for society.

The act makes changes to existing rules about charitable trusts. It combines different laws into one place, making it easier to understand and use. This new act replaces older laws that were spread out in different places.

By updating these laws, the act aims to make sure that charitable trusts can work better and follow clear rules. It helps people who run charitable trusts know what they need to do to follow the law.

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This page was last updated on 15 April 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM308795.

Highlights from this law

7: Trustees may apply for incorporation

Trustees can ask to become a board for their charity

13: Effect of incorporation

A trust board becomes a special organisation that can own things and take legal action

21: Powers in respect of property

How a board can use, sell, swap, or buy property

32: Property may be disposed of for other charitable purposes

You can use charity money for a different good cause if the first plan doesn't work out

33: Extension of powers or alteration of mode of administration of trust

Changing how a charitable trust is run to make it work better

58: Inquiries into condition and management of charities

The government can check how charities work and use their money

60: Proceedings to enforce or vary charitable trust or to require a new scheme

How to ask the court for help when charity money isn't used properly

61B: Inclusion of non-charitable and invalid purposes not to invalidate a trust

Trusts with both good and not-so-good purposes can still be valid

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1: Short Title and commencement, or

"The official name of this law and when it started working"

Charitable Trusts Act 1957

Reprint as at:: 2025-03-30
Assent:: 1957-10-04
Commencement:: see section 1(2)

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Justice.

An Act to consolidate and amend certain enactments of the Parliament of New Zealand relating to charitable trusts