FAQ

Please contact your Code Coach on feedback@pfra.org.nz. We aim to respond to all queries within five working days. If your question is one that other members are likely to share, we will add it to this FAQ page.

Subject to the consultation and Board approval process, the new Code is expected to be formally adopted in October 2026. A launch webinar and supporting resources will be made available at that time. All members will be notified by email when the Code is adopted.

Yes. The PFRA is committed to a genuine consultation process. Feedback from the pilot programme is already shaping refinements to the Code, and member consultation feedback will be reviewed and considered before the Code is submitted to the Board for approval. A summary of how feedback was used will be published after the consultation closes.

During the formal consultation period (August–September 2026), all members can submit feedback via the online form made available when consultation goes live. You can also attend one of two online Q&A webinars where you can ask questions directly. The consultation closes on 18 September 2026.

The PFRA will provide a plain-language implementation guide, a recorded webinar walking through the Code in detail, a dedicated FAQ page (this page, updated throughout the process), and a Code Coach for queries. Members who participated in the pilot are also willing to speak to peers about their experience of adoption.

For most members, adoption of the new Code will reinforce and formalise practices that are already in place. The pilot programme was specifically designed to identify areas where the Code might require adjustment in practice, and feedback from pilot members suggests the Code is workable and practical. Implementation guides and webinar support will be available to all members. If you have specific concerns about implementation, please contact your Code Coach.

The new Code is more clearly structured, more explicit about the link between fundraiser conduct and donor experience, and more closely aligned with international best practice. It is designed to be a practical tool for organisations, not just a compliance document.

The new Code sets out the standards expected of PFRA member organisations in the conduct of face-to-face fundraising. It covers key areas including fundraiser conduct, donor interactions, management and supervision responsibilities, complaint handling, and organisational accountability.

Absolutely. The pilot is a validation exercise, not a prerequisite for engagement. All PFRA members will have the opportunity to review the Code, attend webinars, and submit feedback during the formal consultation period. The consultation period will be August and September 2026. Your input is valued regardless of whether you participated in the pilot.

We will share a full summary of pilot findings ahead of the member consultation. Early feedback has been positive: pilot members have found the Code’s structure clear and practical, and report that its grounding in international best practice has given them a stronger basis for articulating standards to their teams and stakeholders.

Pilot participants were selected to reflect a range of member types, programme sizes, and operating contexts. The aim was to ensure the Code is tested across the diversity of PFRA membership, not just in one type of organisation. Pilot participants received personalised invitations and dedicated support throughout the process.

Before the new Code is shared with the full membership for consultation, a selected group of PFRA member organisations will apply it in practice. This pilot tests the Code in real fundraising environments and ensures that any issues are identified and addressed before broader rollout. It means that by the time the wider membership engages with the Code, it has already been validated by their peers.

No. The new Code does not require a formal membership approval vote. However, the PFRA is committed to a thorough consultation process to ensure all members have the opportunity to engage with the Code, raise questions, and have their input reflected in the final document. The Board will formally approve the Code before it is adopted.

Yes. A number of comparable fundraising regulatory bodies — including those in the United Kingdom and Australia — have developed or recently updated their own codes of practice. The PFRA has drawn on these international frameworks in developing the new Code, while ensuring it is grounded in the specific context and needs of fundraising in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The current Code was developed some time ago, and the face-to-face fundraising landscape has evolved considerably since then. The PFRA has undertaken this review to ensure the Code reflects current best practice, supports our members in delivering high-quality fundraising, and positions Aotearoa New Zealand as a leader in ethical and effective face-to-face fundraising internationally.

It depends on what has occurred. If the issue is minor, involves no third parties, and is unlikely to affect other fundraising groups or the wider face-to-face channel, you may not need to report it.

As a general rule, it’s better to over-report than under-report. When incidents are self-reported, we use our discretion and, in many cases, no penalty is issued. Our priority is simply to understand what happened, fix any issues quickly, and support you to prevent them from happening again.

Please make sure you tell us about any breach of the Code of Conduct, especially if a member of the public, a property manager, security staff, or any other third party was involved. This allows us to respond promptly and, if needed, work with others to help resolve the issue.

There may be consequences for not reporting something that should have been reported. Further detail is outlined in the PFRA Code of Conduct.

If you believe a fundraiser’s actions or behaviour breaches the Code of Conduct or does not meet the standards required to remain on the Fundraiser Register, you can apply for their deregistration. 

Any PFRA member - charity or agency - is able to make this request. The User Guide explains the types of behaviour that may lead to deregistration and outlines the full process. Please refer to Section Four of the guide for more detail.

To request deregistration, please email all relevant communication and supporting evidence to info@pfra.org.nz.

Yes. If you see a fundraising group acting in a way that breaches the Code of Conduct or doesn’t align with the behaviours expected under the Code, you are encouraged to report it to the PFRA. We will review the information and, if needed, begin an investigation.

To take any formal action, we do need clear evidence. It’s helpful to include:

• photos or screenshots
• the time and date
• the exact location
• a brief description of what you observed

This information helps us understand what happened and respond appropriately.

To report a potential breach or concern, please email the details - including any supporting evidence - to info@pfra.org.nz.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security standards designed to ensure that ALL companies that accept, process, store or transmit Debit or Credit Card information maintain a secure environment. This means when you sign up to support a charity through face-to-face fundraising your account details are safe.

Yes, face-to-face fundraisers are paid professionals and not volunteers. This is in line with Employment New Zealand.

Face-to-Face Fundraiser's don't accept cash for their safety and yours. If you would like to support the charity with a one-off gift you can go directly to their website to process the donation.

Yes, fundraisers use tablets to collect people’s details electronically, which ensures the security of all personal and financial information. For your and their safety, they are unable to accept cash donations.

When you sign-up to support a charity, you will be asked for:

• Personal information such as a drivers licence to confirm your identity
• Bank or debit/credit card information to allow the charity to set up your monthly commitment

The security and privacy of this information is very important. Once the above information is provided to the fundraiser via the iPad, it is transmitted securely in compliance with industry standards.

You'll know if someone is fundraising legitimately fundraising for one of our members when they have:

• Have a lanyard and ID card with their name on it, the charity logo, and the PFRA Member of logo
• Charity branded clothing 

If you’re unsure if a charity fundraiser is genuine, please contact us or the charity directly.

Face to face fundraising is one of the most cost-effective ways that charities can gain substantial support for the important work they do. 

Face-to-face fundraising is when a fundraiser talks directly to a member of the public either in the street, at the front door or in a shopping centre about becoming a regular donator to the charity.

A regular donation is a gift you give to a charity either monthly or every four weeks. The amount of your regular donation is up to you, and the gift is set up as a direct debit/ credit card payment from your bank account.