--- title: "October 2026 is approaching: has your charity completed its governance review?" description: Ensure your charity meets the October 2026 governance review deadline. Discover the importance and process of governance reviews in our latest blog. image: https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Governance%20Review%20Deed%20on%20Laptop%20with%20Autumn%20View.png --- [![dark-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/dark-logo.png) ![top-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/top-logo.png) ![dark-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/dark-logo.png) ![top-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/top-logo.png) ![dark-logo](https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/dark-logo.png)](https://moranlaw.co) - Our Services - [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) - [Commercial and Corporate](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) - [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) - [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) - [Not-For-Profit](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) - [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) - [Our Team](https://moranlaw.co/moranlaw-team) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) [Contact us](https://moranlaw.co/contact) - Our Services - [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) - [Commercial and Corporate](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) - [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) - [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) - [Not-For-Profit](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) - [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) - [Our Team](https://moranlaw.co/moranlaw-team) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) [Contact us](https://moranlaw.co/contact) - Our Services - [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) - [Commercial and Corporate](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) - [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) - [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) - [Not-For-Profit](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) - [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) - [Our Team](https://moranlaw.co/moranlaw-team) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) ##### WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND Level 1, 40 Lady Elizabeth Lane Wellington 6011 Postal: PO Box 10538 Wellington 6140 Phone: +64 4 830 2430 Email: [wellington@moranlaw.co](mailto:wellington@moranlaw.co) ##### AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Suite 502, Level 5, Achilles House 8 Commerce Street Auckland 1010 Phone: +64 4 830 2430 Email: [team@moranlaw.co](mailto:team@moranlaw.co) ##### SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Level 26, 44 Market Street  Sydney, NSW, 2000 Phone: +61 2 9091 4258 Email: [sydney@moranlaw.co](mailto:sydney@moranlaw.co) ![](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Governance%20Review%20Deed%20on%20Laptop%20with%20Autumn%20View.png?width=1280&name=Governance%20Review%20Deed%20on%20Laptop%20with%20Autumn%20View.png) # October 2026 is approaching: has your charity completed its governance review? ![Louisa Joblin](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20team%20member%20social%20photo%20(4).png?width=80&name=New%20team%20member%20social%20photo%20(4).png) [Louisa Joblin](https://moranlaw.co/blog/author/louisa-joblin) July 29, 2026, 3:22:28 PM GMT+12:00 For many charities, October 2026 may seem a long way off. However, it marks the deadline for every registered charity to complete its first mandatory governance procedure review under the Charities Amendment Act 2023. The requirement came into force on 5 October 2023 and requires registered charities to review their governance procedures at least once every three years. If your charity has not yet undertaken a review, now is the time to start planning. **Why does this matter?** A governance review is not merely best practice. It is a legal obligation. As part of their annual reporting obligations, charities are now required to confirm to Charities Services whether they have reviewed their governance procedures within the last three years and provide the date the review was completed. Officers are responsible for ensuring their charity complies with this requirement. **What does a governance review involve?** The review process is intentionally flexible and can be scaled to suit the size and complexity of the organisation. However, every charity must consider whether its governance procedures: - are fit for purpose; - help the charity achieve its charitable purpose; and - help the charity comply with its legal obligations. In practice, this means reviewing not only the charity's trust deed, constitution, or rules, but also the policies and processes that support effective governance. This may include conflicts of interest management, delegations, financial oversight, risk management, board practices, privacy, health and safety, and volunteer or employment policies. More than a compliance exercise  A governance review should be more than a regulatory exercise. It provides an opportunity to assess whether governance arrangements remain appropriate for the organisation's current activities and future plans. Many charities discover that their governing documents have not been reviewed for years, that policies no longer reflect current practice, or that governance responsibilities are not clearly allocated. Others identify gaps that have emerged as the organisation has grown, taken on staff, secured new funding streams, or faced increased regulatory obligations. Addressing these issues can strengthen accountability, improve decision-making, and give officers greater confidence that the charity is well positioned for the future. How MoranLaw can help We regularly assist charities (and other not-for-profits) with governance reviews, constitutional and trust deed updates, policy audits, governance advice, and compliance obligations. Our approach is practical and tailored to each organisation. We help boards and officers understand what the law requires, identify governance risks and improvement opportunities, and implement governance arrangements that are fit for purpose. Don't leave it until October 2026 Although October 2026 may seem some time away, a meaningful governance review takes planning and often leads to governance changes that require careful consideration and implementation. As more charities turn their attention to this requirement, demand for governance support is likely to increase. If your charity has not yet completed its governance review, now is a good time to start. [Get in touch](https://moranlaw.co/louisa-joblin-moranlaw) with our team to discuss how we can assist.     Share on: [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://moranlaw.co/blog/october-2026-is-approaching-has-your-charity-completed-its-governance-review) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://moranlaw.co/blog/october-2026-is-approaching-has-your-charity-completed-its-governance-review) Tags: [Charities and Not-for-profits](https://moranlaw.co/blog/tag/charities-and-not-for-profits) You may also like ![](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/agence-olloweb-d9ILr-dbEdg-unsplash.jpg?width=630&name=agence-olloweb-d9ILr-dbEdg-unsplash.jpg) March 17, 2025, 2:00:00 AM GMT+13:00 Charities’ Governance Procedure Reviews: what are they, and what are charities required to do? ![](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Diagonal%20Meeting%20Split%20in%20Minimalist%20Style.png?width=630&name=Diagonal%20Meeting%20Split%20in%20Minimalist%20Style.png) September 16, 2026, 3:00:24 PM GMT+12:00 What is the difference between governance and management in a not-for-profit organisation? ![](https://moranlaw.co/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Charitable%20Purposes%20and%20Registered%20Charity%20Documents-2.png?width=630&name=Charitable%20Purposes%20and%20Registered%20Charity%20Documents-2.png) August 24, 2026, 4:38:21 PM GMT+12:00 Charitable purposes and charity registration: understanding the difference ### SPECIALIST AREAS [Intellectual Property](https://moranlaw.co/protecting-intellectual-property) [Commercial and Corporate Law](https://moranlaw.co/commercial-and-corporate) [For Families](https://moranlaw.co/elevated-trust-management) [Elevated Trust Management](https://moranlaw.co/for-families) [Not-For-Profits](https://moranlaw.co/not-for-profits) [Privacy, Cyber, and Data Security](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-cyber-and-data-security) ### The Team - [Scott Moran](https://moranlaw.co/scott-moran-moranlaw) - [Amanda Griffiths](https://moranlaw.co/amanda-griffiths-moranlaw) - [Louisa Joblin](https://moranlaw.co/louisa-joblin-moranlaw) - [Jessie Malcolm](https://moranlaw.co/jessie-malcolm-moranlaw) - [Ffion Merchant-Williams](https://moranlaw.co/ffion-merchant-williams-moranlaw) - [John Hackett](https://moranlaw.co/john-hackett-moranlaw) - [Chelcie Kite](https://moranlaw.co/chelcie-kite-moranlaw) - [Venetia McInman](https://moranlaw.co/venetia-mcinman-moranlaw) - [Fergielyn Catayoc](https://moranlaw.co/fergielyn-catayoc-moranlaw) - [Lucas d’Arbois de Jubainville](https://moranlaw.co/lucas-darbois-de-jubainville-moranlaw) - [Kimberley Will](https://moranlaw.co/kimberley-will-moranlaw) - [Shamara Polliack](https://moranlaw.co/shamara-polliack-moranlaw) - [Tracey Lucas](https://moranlaw.co/tracey-lucas-moranlaw) - [Kathy Hunter](https://moranlaw.co/kathy-hunter-moranlaw) - [Sara Barnes](https://moranlaw.co/sara-barnes-moranlaw) - [Rebecca Evans](https://moranlaw.co/rebecca-evans-moranlaw) - [Flora Dryburgh](https://moranlaw.co/flora-dryburgh-moranlaw) - [Jacky Simperingham](https://moranlaw.co/jacky-simperingham-moranlaw) - [Tom Winfield](https://moranlaw.co/tom-winfield-moranlaw) ### Quick Links - [Contact Us](https://moranlaw.co/contact) - [About Us](https://moranlaw.co/about) - [Careers](https://moranlaw.co/careers) - [Privacy Policy](https://moranlaw.co/privacy-policy) - [Terms](https://moranlaw.co/terms-of-engagement) - [Our Blog](https://moranlaw.co/blog) © MoranLaw Limited 2024 [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/moranlaw) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/moranlawnzau/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557642282289) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Louisa Joblin", "url" : "https://moranlaw.co/blog/author/louisa-joblin" }, "dateModified" : "2026-07-29T03:22:28.451Z", "datePublished" : "2026-07-29T03:22:28.000Z", "headline" : "October 2026 is approaching: has your charity completed its governance review?", "image" : [ "https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Governance%20Review%20Deed%20on%20Laptop%20with%20Autumn%20View.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://moranlaw.co/blog/october-2026-is-approaching-has-your-charity-completed-its-governance-review", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://moranlaw.co/hubfs/RGB-MoranLaw-logo-primary-BlueAndGreen-2.png" }, "name" : "Moran Law" } } ```