New research suggests brighter times ahead for charities from gifts in wills

Media Release: 24 August 2026

New research released by Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand (CFANZ) suggests that charitable gifts in wills are of significant interest among New Zealanders who already give to charity, and local charities are set to benefit.

The CFANZ survey of over 3,000 New Zealanders across different regions, ages and incomes was carried out by independent research consultancy BERL and found that 52.3% were interested in the idea of leaving a gift in their will to charity, with 17.4% indicating that they have already done so.

"The research was a close-up look at people who already give and it showed that over half of respondents were interested in the idea of leaving a charitable gift in their will. There was also a very strong desire by Kiwis to support local causes. This is good news for many New Zealand charities, especially at a time when charity fundraising is challenging, as potential donors grapple with the rising cost of living," says Eleanor Cater, CEO of CFANZ.

"Understanding how Kiwis give, what motivates us and what stands in the way is what this research set out to do. We've found a real interest in structured giving such as bequests, and supporting local causes is a key driver of generosity across the board. Kiwis really want to make a positive difference in the community they live in."

Cater says the research suggests that the biggest barrier to gifts in wills lies in the professional advice sector, with fewer than one in five people having charitable giving raised in the natural course of legal or wealth management conversations. 

“While this finding wasn’t a big surprise to those of us who work in this space, we see that as a big opportunity ahead, for small shifts in professional practice supporting the conversations Kiwis want to have.”

"The community foundations network across Aotearoa already has 785 gifts in wills confirmed and this is growing year on year. Kiwis seem to like the idea of structuring their giving so it can sustain charities and causes for the long-term."

Key findings from the BERL charitable bequest research include:

• Over half of respondents (52.3%) indicated interest in leaving a charitable gift in their will, with 17.4% indicating they have already done so, 25.4% thinking about it and 9.5% planning to do so in the future.
• Almost 9 in 10 people (87.6%) give to local causes.
• The top reason people leave a gift in their will is that it aligns with their personal values (69.3%).
• The top reason holding people back from leaving a charitable gift in their will is wanting to look after family first (72.6%).
• Only 20.2% of those who received professional advice indicated that the topic of charitable giving had been raised
• 90.5% of respondents had donated in the past year, compared with 61% of New Zealanders nationally (CAF World Giving Report 2026) - reflecting the fact that this research draws on a sample of people who already give. 

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"With the intergenerational wealth transfer reported to be $1.6T over the next 25 years, and with many New Zealanders who are interested in the idea of leaving a charitable gift in their will, the potential is great. This is really encouraging for the future of the charity sector."

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September is Wills Month in New Zealand, an annual reminder for people to make a will, update an existing one and to consider leaving a charitable gift.

A summary of the BERL research findings around charitable gifts in wills can be accessed here with the full research report being released in November.  

To learn more about leaving a charitable gift in your will, visit Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ’s website.

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Media Contact: Carolyn Brooke at Good Scoop
Mobile: 0272859978
Email: carolyn@goodscoop.co.nz

About Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand

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Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand (CFANZ) was established in 2014 and is the national membership body for 18 locally based community foundations across the country. 

The body is an independent network of place-based generosity covering 90% of New Zealand and not related to New Zealand’s 12 statutory community trusts.  Gifts in wills to communities are a key part of local giving, which community foundations invest to build permanent local funds that will give back to local charities and causes in perpetuity.

As at 31 March 2026, the network is managing $366m in invested community funds and has 785 gifts in wills or bequests (estimated to be worth over $1.3b) pledged for future community funds.

CFANZ supports its members to build strong communities where everyone belongs, and encourages New Zealanders to feel empowered to be changemakers in their own community.

September Wills Month is a CFANZ campaign which began in 2018.  See more at www.communityfoundations.org.nz

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