New Zealand's philanthropic sector is diverse and relatively well-developed, with a range of bodies, networks, and infrastructure that support funders and connect the grantmaking community. Understanding this ecosystem is valuable both for funders navigating the sector and for grantees seeking to understand how philanthropy operates in New Zealand.
Philanthropy New Zealand (PNZ) is the peak body for the philanthropic sector in New Zealand. It connects funders, builds sector capability, and advocates for an enabling environment for philanthropy. Membership includes community trusts, private foundations, corporate funders, and individual philanthropists.
PNZ's key functions:
- Sector network: Connecting members through events, working groups, and peer learning
- Research and knowledge: Publishing data on New Zealand philanthropy, sector benchmarking, and research on effective grantmaking
- Advocacy: Engaging with government on policy affecting philanthropy — tax settings, regulatory environment, charitable purpose definitions
- Professional development: Supporting the development of grantmaking professionals through training, resources, and peer learning
The PNZ annual conference is the primary gathering for New Zealand's philanthropic community, bringing together funders across the sector for learning and relationship-building.
New Zealand's network of 12 community trusts are among the largest philanthropic funders in the country. They were established in the late 1980s and 1990s from the sale of former trustee savings bank assets, with the proceeds invested as permanent endowments to fund community benefit. Combined, they hold billions in assets and distribute hundreds of millions annually.
Key community trusts:
- Foundation North: Serving Auckland and Northland — one of New Zealand's largest funders
- Tindall Foundation: Privately endowed; significant funder of community development
- ASB Community Trust: Auckland-based; established from ASB Bank privatisation
- Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury
- Community Trust South
- Otago Community Trust
- Trustees Executors
- And others across New Zealand's regions
Community trusts typically fund community development, health, education, arts, sport, and environment in their geographic areas. Each has its own strategy, priorities, and grantmaking processes.
Gaming trusts are a distinctive feature of New Zealand's philanthropic landscape. Under New Zealand's gaming regulations, revenue from non-casino gambling machines (pokies) in pubs and clubs must be distributed to charitable purposes. Gaming trusts are the primary vehicle for this distribution.
Major gaming trusts:
- Four Winds Foundation (formerly SKY Waka Takanga / SKYCITY Foundation): One of the largest gaming trusts, distributing hundreds of millions annually
- Lion Foundation: Distributes revenue from Lion Co-affiliated venues
- Pub Charity: Distributes revenue from independent pubs
- Grassroots Trust: South Island-focused gaming trust
- Southern Trust: Gaming trust with a southern New Zealand focus
Gaming trusts fund sport, recreation, arts, culture, community, and health organisations. Access typically requires a connection to a venue hosting the relevant gaming machines.
The New Zealand Lottery Grants Board (also known as Lotteries NZ) distributes funds from New Zealand lottery and Lotto sales to good causes. The Board funds:
- Community (community development, social services)
- Arts and culture
- Environment and heritage
- Sport and recreation
Funding is administered through the Department of Internal Affairs, with committees for each funding category. Applications are assessed against published criteria.
New Zealand has a growing number of private charitable foundations — established by individuals, families, or businesses to pursue specific philanthropic purposes. Major private foundations include:
Private foundations vary significantly in their size, strategy, and openness to unsolicited applications. Some are exclusively invitation-based; others have open grant rounds.
Beyond funders, several organisations provide support and infrastructure for the philanthropy sector:
Charities Services (Department of Internal Affairs): Registers and regulates charitable entities. Maintains the public Charities Register — searchable by organisations, their purposes, and annual returns.
Community Finance: Provides community loan funds and financial tools for social enterprises and nonprofits.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu: Iwi authority with significant philanthropic and social investment functions for Ngāi Tahu communities.
Komiti Māori and Māori philanthropic networks: Growing Māori philanthropic infrastructure, including kaupapa Māori grant programmes at major funders.
While not traditionally classed as philanthropy, New Zealand government at central and local level is the largest funder of the community sector:
Central government departments and ministries: MSD (Social Development), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry for the Environment, Sport NZ, Creative NZ, and others contract community organisations for service delivery and fund sector development.
Local authorities: District and city councils fund community organisations and social services through rates-funded grants.
Beyond PNZ, sector networks include:
- Funders Network: Informal networks of funders in specific regions (Auckland Funders Network) or sectors (environment funders, health funders)
- Māori Philanthropy: Growing network of Māori philanthropists and funders with kaupapa Māori grantmaking focus
- Pacific Funders Network: Network focused on Pacific community funding
Philanthropy New Zealand publishes regular data on New Zealand philanthropic giving. Key facts:
- New Zealand's total philanthropic giving is estimated at several billion dollars annually
- Gaming trusts and community trusts are among the largest single categories of philanthropic funding
- Individual giving (through donations, bequests) is a growing share of total giving
- New Zealand giving rates compare reasonably to similar countries
Tahua's grants management platform serves funders across New Zealand's philanthropic landscape — from community trusts to gaming trusts, private foundations to corporate funders — with the tools to manage grants effectively at any scale.