Making good mahi happen this Wills Month

September is Wills Month - Blog Series

Rahul Watson Govindan
CEO, Philanthropy New Zealand
10 September 2024

New Zealanders are generous givers of their money and time with Charities Services’ showing they donate about $3.8b a year and about 1.6 million hours of work every week.

Many New Zealanders have spent many years creating and building a wonderful community around them that they want to live in and bequests are a powerful way for you to ensure that the community that you’ve contributed to for so much of your lifetime continues to thrive, along with the people within it.

At Philanthropy New Zealand, we would love more every day New Zealanders to know about the amazing ripple they can help to create, beyond the time they’re alive and that leaves an impact for their children and grandchildren.

When making decisions about leaving a legacy gift, we encourage people to think about a community organisation, charity, or cause, that aligns with their values and to learn more about the organization, the work it does and the people it serves.

Many people tell us they feel good about leaving a charitable gift in their will. If a charity has touched your life, or the life of someone close, leaving a gift in your will, after taking care of family and friends, could be the perfect way to say thank you.

It can also be a good idea to contact the charity that you are choosing to gift to in your will, it's also a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the cause you are supporting. A legacy gift can make the world of difference to a charity in helping them to deliver their work.

Wills Month is also a prompt to have an important conversation with your family about your will, talk to whānau and loved ones about your decision, so there are not surprises when they eventually pass; bring them on the giving journey, too.

Bequests play an important role in Aotearoa’s philanthropic sector and every day we see the good mahi happening in communities all around Aotearoa because of giving.

Philanthropy New Zealand has partnered with Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand this Wills Month to raise awareness about the importance of having a will and the impact of legacy giving on our communities.

Find out more and download a free Will Information Pack >>