At Hui E! we know that many community groups don’t have time to prepare their own submissions. So we share the submissions we draft to give inspiration for individuals and the community to do their own.

Submission and Media Release Summary
Media Release “A Tax on Care”_ Sector Responds to Charity Tax Delay 30-04-25 The community constellation strongly opposes the Government’s proposed charity tax, calling it “a tax on care.” Though the Finance Minister has delayed a final decision, the sector warns such a tax would strip vital resources from services like hospice care, housing, and mental health support. Over 900 submissions were made in response to the proposal, demonstrating widespread concern across the sector. Charities argue they are already overburdened, and this tax would deepen service gaps and hurt communities. The sector urges collaboration with the Government to develop fair, practical solutions that protect public good.
Community Constellation IRD feedback 2025 ​On behalf of The Community Constellation, we submit our feedback on the proposed changes outlined in the consultation document ‘Taxation and the not-for-profit sector’. This feedback includes analysis of feedback received from a sector-wide survey conducted to assess the potential impact of proposed changes to the taxation of charities and tangata whenua, community, and voluntary organisations. The survey garnered 113 responses, predominantly from registered charities (76%) and incorporated societies (10%), with the majority (76%) being Tier 3 or 4 organisations (under NZD $5 million annual expenditure). Most respondents (77%) took the option to send their individual survey response data directly to IRD through the survey.
Hui E! Social Security Amendment Bill Submission ​Hui E! Community Aotearoa’s submission on the Social Security Amendment Bill raises significant concerns about the proposed legislation’s impact on both job seekers and community organizations. We argue that increasing sanctions, such as mandatory community work experience, lacks evidence of effectiveness and may exacerbate existing inequities. The submission emphasizes that volunteering should remain a voluntary act, and imposing it as a sanction could undermine its value and place undue burden on community organizations. Furthermore, the Bill’s implementation appears unworkable due to insufficient consultation with iwi and community groups, and a lack of provisions for necessary resources and support. Hui E! recommends reconsidering the Bill in its entirety, ensuring thorough engagement with affected communities, and, if proceeding, providing full resourcing to organizations tasked with implementing its provisions.
Hui E! Treaty Principles Bill Submission Hui E! Community Aotearoa’s submission on the Treaty Principles Bill strongly opposes the proposed legislation, asserting it would significantly breach Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
We argue the Bill is divisive, undermines Māori rights, and damages Māori-Crown relations by misrepresenting Te Tiriti and excluding Māori from the process.
We emphasize Te Tiriti’s foundational importance to New Zealand and the community sector, highlighting that the Bill’s enactment would erode Māori self-determination and exacerbate existing inequities.
We recommend the Justice Committee reject the Bill outright, call for a governmental apology for the harm caused, and urge a commitment to genuinely uphold Te Tiriti to foster a fair and equitable society.
Hui E! joint submission – Charities Amendment Bill 2022 ​Hui E! Community Aotearoa’s joint submission on the Charities Amendment Bill 2022 calls for a comprehensive first-principles review of the Charities Act 2005 by an independent authority, emphasizing the inclusion of a Te Tiriti o Waitangi statement to integrate te ao Māori principles. We support simplifying financial reporting for small charities to reduce compliance burdens and advocate for clear guidelines and educational support to aid compliance. Additionally, we endorse measures to improve access to justice in the appeals process for charities. Overall, we stress the importance of inclusive consultation and clear communication to ensure that legislative changes are accessible and beneficial to all community groups.