Family Matters: Dr Juliet Chevalier-Watts on how charities have fared in the latest Budget

In this episode Family Matters, Simon speaks with Dr Juliet Chevalier-Watts. Juliet is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Waikato, and an expert in charity law. Several years ago, alongside Professor Frank Scrimgeour, they published research showing how much religious charities in New Zealand contributed - something like $6.1 billion a year. She argues this is clear evidence that the government and the public need to do more to support charities, not make things more difficult - and she stresses she is saying this as an atheist. Juliet talks the latest changes to charities made by the government in this year’s Budget. She explains the proposed new cap on donations which means donors can still give more than $100,000 but only receive the rebate on the first $100,000 (so would get around $33,000 in rebate). She notes that charities are already hearing major donors may stop large, project-funding gifts (for infrastructure, research, emergency response, and sustainability), despite the change not taking effect until 2027. Simon and Juliet both question the government’s stated “value for money” rationale – discussing that it appears to be statement without evidence. In fact, as Juliet points out, her research has clearly demonstrated the opposite. Simon raises how IRD considered an even lower $5,000 threshold, and both argues the policy may be an overreaction to a small number of donor-controlled charities. Importantly, and something Simon wasn’t aware of, but that Juliet has noted from IRD’s regulatory impact statement, is referencing “removing certain charitable purposes”. There have been four long term and tradition pillars of charity and Juliet flags a warning that IRD appears to be looking to change this, with both her and Simon suspecting the IRD is targeting the “advancement of religion”, raising concerns about religious freedom and donor choice. Juliet ends by outlining her upcoming research on charities’ compliance costs and what assets religious charities hold, and how buildings like church halls are used daily by communities for low- or no-cost services such as childcare, eldercare, and meals. If you are involved in the charity sector or is someone who donates, then this is a critical podcast to listen to. #familymatters #familyfirstnz