PremiumOpinionOpinion byJuliet Chevalier-Watts & Steven MoeNZ Herald·11 Jun, 2026 01:22 AM5 mins to readDr. Juliet Chevalier-Watts is Associate Professor at the School of Law, Philosophy and Politics, at University of Waikato. Steven Moe is a partner and co-lead of the Impact Team at Parry Field Lawyers. The 2026 Budget has put to bed a range of nettlesome reforms the Government has been mulling for the charities sector. THE FACTSLast month’s Budget placed a $33,000 cap on the annual tax credits donors can claim to reduce their tax owing.Inland Revenue Department estimates the change will put $19 million a year into government coffers.The charities sector has responded with surprise and dismay, saying the move will chill large donations.
The Government recently decided that from April next year, donors will only be able to claim donation tax credits on the first $100,000 they give each year. That means a maximum of $33,000 tax back for big donors. It says the change will affect only around 350 donor
