Two Destiny Church charities miss financial records filing deadline, face being stripped of charitable status

November 3, 2017

1 NEWS NOW reporter Luke Appleby said in July 2017 that the church tells him they’re working to file as soon as possible.

Two of Destiny Church's charities face being stripped of their charitable status after missing their final deadline to provide missing financial records.

The church has missed its final deadline to file financial records.

1 NEWS can reveal that instead of filing annual returns – which have been missing for two years – Destiny has lodged a late objection with the Department of Internal Affairs in a last-gasp bid to hold on to tax-free privileges for the two charities.

Internal Affairs has now referred the situation to an independent panel, who must decide whether to remove the Destiny charities from the register, or give the church another chance.

The charities involved are Destiny International Trust and Te Hahi o Nga Matamua Holdings Limited.

According to the most recent annual returns filed to Charities Services, those two entities had a combined 2015 revenue of $2.5 million.

"An Intention to Remove sent to Destiny International Trust and Te Hahi o Nga Matamua Holdings advised that in order to avoid deregistration, complete Annual returns for the years ending 31 March 2016 and 31 March 2017, or a written objection to the intended removal, were required," Internal Affairs said in a statement to 1 NEWS.

"Following the Notice we have late this afternoon received a written objection to their removal from the Register.

"The matter will now be referred to the independent Charities Registration Board who will make a decision in due course."

Destiny Church has been approached for comment by 1 NEWS.
 

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