New research suggests brighter times ahead for charities from gifts in wills in the Greater Wellington region, and the role of professional advisors is key.
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 Nīkau Foundation and other 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% of New Zealanders surveyed 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 voluntary, self-selected survey was a close-up look at a population of those who already give - 90.5% of respondents had donated in the past year - so the findings reflect a giving-oriented group rather than the population as a whole.
“We know that our region’s people want to give back to the communities that raised them, the place that shaped them and the causes they love far beyond their lifetimes,” says Nīkau Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Emma Lewis. “More than half of the New Zealanders surveyed who already give to charity are open to including a gift in their will, which is reflective of the local generosity we’re seeing every day.”
“While the research also shows that there is high motivation to give, it also shows that fewer than one in five people who receive professional advice ever have a conversation about charitable giving,” says Emma. “We know that these conversations between clients and their trusted lawyer, accountant or wealth manager are critical and could make an incredible difference for charities throughout our region.”
“Nīkau is proud to be the kaitiaki of over 100 funds that will make a long-lasting difference for our communities, many of which have been committed via gifts in wills. We know the power of leaving a gift to charity. This September, during Wills Month, we’re encouraging locals to make a will, update an existing one or consider the option of including a charitable gift,” says Emma.
Key findings from the BERL 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.
“The intergenerational wealth transfer, which is reported to be over $1.6 trillion during the next few decades, poses an extraordinary opportunity for our communities,” says Emma. “With more gifts in wills, we have a powerful opportunity to shape the future of our region. As a collective, we can pass down better support to the causes we love, directly contribute to positive social outcomes and create a brighter future for the generations that’ll come after us.”
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 Giving in Aotearoa NZ being released in November.
