The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association’s (PFRA) approach to regulation is collaborative, practical, and led by the sector. We work with our members, local councils, business associations, and government partners to protect the long-term sustainability of public fundraising in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our role is to serve the sector.
We support charities, fundraising partners, and agencies to meet high standards, while also managing much of the administration and compliance work that would otherwise fall to individual organisations. We look after the systems and processes that help make fundraising safer, fairer, and more effective across the country.
At the same time, our members lead the major decisions that guide the PFRA’s direction and priorities. Our governance model allows charities and agencies to shape the organisation’s focus, without being burdened by the day-to-day management of its structure.
By working together, we help ensure that fundraising remains transparent, accountable, and trusted and that any concerns are managed fairly and appropriately.
This shared approach allows the PFRA to act as both a safeguard and a support system, protecting public confidence and helping to keep fundraising sustainable and responsible across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association’s (PFRA) strength comes from the diversity of its members - charities, fundraising partners and agencies of all sizes, causes, and communities that choose to take part in self-regulation. Together, they bring valuable experience and ideas that shape the professional standards and best practices for public fundraising in Aotearoa New Zealand.
To make sure our standards reflect what fundraising is really like, the PFRA works with specialist member groups from across the sector. These include the Face-to-Face Review Group, and Telefundraising Early Adopters Group, and coming soon - the Code of Conduct Advisory Group. These groups help design the rules, guidance, and tools that support ethical, inclusive, and transparent fundraising.
By drawing on the real experiences of fundraisers, these groups make sure the PFRA’s standards are practical, fair, and trusted by both the sector and the public.
Members can get involved in many ways - by joining advisory groups, taking part in webinars, completing surveys, or attending workshops. You can register your interest at any time, and if spaces are full, we’ll add you to a waitlist to ensure everyone has a fair chance to contribute.
Our co-design approach means the standards are written in partnership with PFRA members, not for them, ensuring they remain credible, inclusive, and truly representative of the fundraising community.
Code Advisory Group
The Code Advisory Group provides expert, independent oversight of the Principles-Based Code of Conduct for Fundraising and its associated Guidance. Its role is to ensure the Code and Guidance remain responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of the sector, support accountable and ethical fundraising practice, and help uphold public trust in fundraising.
Grounded in the principles of partnership, fairness, and transparency, the Group ensures the Code reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique legal, cultural, and operational context - including the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The Code of Conduct Advisory Group is currently being established. Further information about the group’s membership, structure, and how to express your interest in joining will be shared soon. The PFRA welcomes engagement from across the sector to ensure a balanced and representative group that reflects the diversity of fundraising in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Telefundraising Early Adopter Group
The Telefundraising Early Adopter Group brings together charities, fundraising partners and agencies involved in phone-based fundraising to help shape the PFRA’s telefundraising standards and Accreditation Framework. This group represents a first for Aotearoa New Zealand - working collaboratively to establish a self-regulatory framework for telefundraising that promotes ethical, transparent, and effective practice across the sector.
The group also played a key role in developing the PFRA’s soon-to-be-released Principles-Based Code of Conduct for Fundraising and accompanying Telefundraising Guidance, helping to ensure they both reflect real-world practice and the evolving needs of members and the public.
Looking ahead, this co-designed approach will continue to guide the development of practical tools, policies, and training that strengthen fundraising standards and support members to deliver high-quality, accountable, and responsible telefundraising.
Telefundraising Early Adopter Group Members:
- Amnesty International
- Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
- Cornucopia
- Family for Every Child
- Hato Hone St John
- Médecins Sans Frontières New Zealand
- Mondial
- Raisers Hub
- Save the Children
- Starship Foundation
- Unity4
- World Vision
Face-to-Face Fundraising Review Group
The Face-to-Face Fundraising Review Group brings together charities and agencies involved in face-to-face fundraising to help shape the PFRA’s standards and guidance for residential, private-site, and street-site fundraising.
Recently, the group reviewed the existing Code of Conduct for face-to-face fundraising and helped create updated guidance and a new Accreditation Framework. Their input has shaped the professional standards that members are expected to meet and demonstrate, and has strengthened how the PFRA monitors, coordinates, and enforces those standards to ensure accountability.
The group also played a key role in developing the PFRA’s soon-to-be-released Principles-Based Code of Conduct for Fundraising, helping to ensure it reflects real-world practice and the changing needs of the sector.
Looking ahead, this co-designed approach will continue to guide the development of practical tools, policies, and training that strengthen fundraising standards and support members to deliver ethical, transparent, and high-quality fundraising across all face-to-face environments.
Face-to-Face Fundraising Review Group Members:
- Aida
- Amnesty International
- Community Solutions
- Core Fundraising
- Cornucopia
- Forest and Bird
- Fundamental Worldwide
- GIG
- Hato Hone St John
- Médecins Sans Frontières New Zealand
- New Zealand Red Cross
- Oxfam Aotearoa
- Surge Direct
- The Fred Hollows Foundation
How to Get Involved
If you’re a PFRA member and would like to be part of one of our specialist working or advisory groups, we’d love to hear from you. These groups are a great way to share your experience, help shape standards, and contribute to the future of ethical fundraising in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Contact us today at info@pfra.org.nz or call 022 061 3643 to express your interest or join the waitlist.
The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) works in partnership with other regulatory bodies, councils, and organisations to maintain high standards of fundraising across Aotearoa New Zealand. We collaborate with local councils to coordinate and licence street sites, and with business associations and site managers to manage locations, monitor fundraising activity, and address issues or complaints. We also engage with government agencies and corporate partners on legislative or policy matters that affect the fundraising sector.
When a matter falls outside of the PFRA’s regulatory scope, we refer it to the appropriate authority. This may include:
- Criminal or illegal activity - referred to the New Zealand Police, or the Serious Fraud Office in cases of serious financial crime
- Charity registration or legitimacy issues - referred to Charities Services / Te Rātā Atawhai
- Privacy breaches - referred to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner
- Health and safety matters - referred to WorkSafe New Zealand
- Concerns involving children or vulnerable people - referred to Oranga Tamariki or the Police
These partnerships ensure that fundraising remains transparent, accountable, and trusted - and that any concerns are managed fairly and appropriately by the relevant authority.
Where a matter is best handled by the charity itself, the PFRA works alongside the organisation, where appropriate, to support and guide its response.
Regulating & Rostering Council Street Sites last year
Local Councils
Fundraiser mystery shops and audits
Unique street sites monitored
Street sites rostered
