Concern at white poppy appeal ahead of ANZAC Day

Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ)- Media Release

Concern at Peace Movement Aotearoa promoting white poppies days before RSA’s red poppy day street appeal.

21 April 2010: Aotearoa Peace Movement is stepping on toes with its white poppy collection just days before one of New Zealand’s most revered public holidays, ANZAC Day.

James Austin, CEO of FINZ says, “there are few things more sacred to New Zealanders than ANZAC day and RSA members who represent those who have served our country. They deserve respect and space to arrange their own street appeal to support veterans and their families without potential conflict. A white poppy appeal the day before the red poppy appeal is confrontational.” he said.

With competition for the charity dollar getting more intense more charities, especially those involved in social service deliveries, are competing and serious issues of who has the right to collect on which days is growing.

“It’s intolerable that an organisation not registered with the Charities Commission can collect funds from the public in direct competition with a registered charity, in this case the RSA.” says Mr Austin.

He says FINZ, working with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) who are responsible face-to-face solicitation, is advocating for uniformity throughout the country with the granting of permits for street appeals so that the public can feel confident that those collecting are properly constituted charitable entities and are not being unduly pressured and that organizations like the RSA can be protected, particularly where such a conflict of interest can occur.

Mr Austin says, “we have a new and increasingly robust Charities Commission in place and I urge all local authorities to make Charities Commission registration a prior requirement before granting of permits. Some degree of flexibility will be required to allow other donee organisations such as schools to collect, but registered charities should be given first option here.”

FINZ believes the white poppy appeal is confrontational and undermines the value of the Red Poppy Appeal and the important contribution the RSA makes to New Zealand.

ENDS