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.