The Public Trust has urged New Zealanders to think about how their will can support charitable giving during Wills Week 2025.
This year for Wills Week (14-20 July 2025), Public Trust is calling on New Zealanders to consider how their will can be a powerful tool to support charitable giving.
“Wills aren’t just about money or property,” said Public Trust Chief Executive Glenys Talivai.
“They’re about people. They’re about values we pass on. This Wills Week we’re spreading a ‘good will’ message. In our role we get to see the extraordinary impact of ordinary New Zealanders who choose to leave a gift in their will to benefit others.”
Every year, Public Trust manages hundreds of bequests and charitable grants made possible by New Zealand’s will-makers. This has provided vital funding for a wide range of services, including counselling, life-saving health initiatives, environmental projects, education scholarships, marae renovations, animal welfare, food rescue, training for young farmers, and wrap around support for at-risk youth and families in need.
For many charities, bequests are one of the largest single sources of funding they receive.
“Whether it’s supporting a local community group or helping a favourite charity, a gift in your will, known as a bequest, can create a ripple effect that lasts for years to come,” said Talivai.
“Wills Week this year is about inspiring New Zealanders to think about what they want to pass on in the future. After caring for whānau and friends, we encourage you to consider leaving a gift in your will to help build stronger communities for generations to come. Even a small gift can make a big difference.”
Released earlier this year in collaboration with Public Trust, JBWere’s New Zealand Bequest Report estimated charities receive NZD 320 million annually from gifts in wills.
To realise the full potential of legacy giving, two things need to happen, said Talivai.
“People need to plan for the future by making a will, and make an active choice to leave a gift in their will. This could help unlock billions in future funding for the charities and communities that shape New Zealand.”
Wills Week is supported by Philanthropy New Zealand. CEO Rahul Watson Govindan said now is a powerful moment for New Zealand to reflect on how it enables generosity.
“We know that approximately NZD 1.6 trillion is anticipated to be transferred from one generation to the next over the course of the next 25 years. For the ‘giving generation’ it’s a wonderful opportunity to continue to make a difference to the country they have worked so hard to build and communities they care so much about. Philanthropy continues to make a meaningful difference to our collective future.”
Public Trust data reveals key insights into New Zealanders’ approach to estate planning:
Intergenerational inheritances to top NZD 1.6 trillion by 2050: Inheritances are estimated to grow from around the NZD 27 billion passed in 2024, to NZD 1.6 trillion by 2050. (Source: The Bequest Report 2025). Currently, only 1.3 percent of inheritances will be allocated to charities, below the levels seen in the US and UK.
Good will: Around seven percent of wills written with Public Trust in the last three years have a gift to a charity included. The average value of a gift in a will is around NZD 800. The most common types of charities provided for are focused on people’s health and wellbeing, ambulance services and animal welfare.
Women “willanthropists” lead the way: Female will-makers consistently donate more than their male counterparts. In 2024, younger females aged 18-35 showed a notable increase in giving compared to previous years.
Giving grows with age: The largest charitable contributions come from those aged 66-75, followed closely by the 56-65 age group.
Will uptake: Overall, 50 percent of adult New Zealanders have a will in place, and this percentage grows with age.
Growing online trend: 70 percent of new wills made with Public Trust are completed online.
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