Habitat for Humanity New Zealand

Date Made

Date signed: 2026-06-29

Sectors

Nonbank non-deposit taking lenders (NBNDTLs)

Enacting statement

In accordance with section 157 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (“the Act”), the Associate Minister of Justice hereby gives notice that she has granted the following exemption from the Act:  

Ministerial Exemption: Habitat for Humanity New Zealand 

Commencement date

This exemption comes into force on 2026-06-29

End date

This exemption will expire on 2031-06-29

Exemption

As the Associate Minister of Justice, and pursuant to section 157 of the Act, I exempt Habitat for Humanity New Zealand (“Habitat NZ”) from the following provisions of the Act:  

1. 1. Sections 10-71 (inclusive)

Conditions

This exemption is made subject to the following conditions:  

1. 1. Habitat NZ must remain a registered charity pursuant to the Charities Act 2005; 
   2. The exemption only applies to services that Habitat NZ and Habitat Entities provide to individuals and families under the Progressive Home Ownership programme and the Home Repair programme; and 
   3. Habitat NZ must inform the Ministry of Justice of any changes that may affect the exemption and/or conditions imposed by this written instrument within 10 working days from when the change affecting the exemption occurs.  

Statement of reasons

The exemption has been made for the following reasons: 

1. 1. There is a low risk of money laundering and terrorism financing through Habitat NZ because:
      1. The Habitat Entities are part of a larger international charitable organisation and are each legally separate entities. These entities only operate in their own designated geographical area.  
      2. Each registered charity under Habitat for Humanity provides specific services which are all limited in scope and for defined charitable purposes. These factors reduce the potential for anonymity and opportunity for abuse, therefore reducing the risk of money laundering and terrorism financing.  
      3. Habitat NZ and the Habitat Entities operate as a form of social lender and are not for profit institutions like other in the non-bank non-deposit taking lender sector.  
      4. Habitat NZ’s selection of partner families involves a thorough verification process including face-to-face interviews, followed by an assessment of their circumstances and appropriateness for both programmes.  
      5. Both housing programmes are available to a domestic-only customer base, which reduces the risk of money laundering and terrorism financing due to the small-scope and low-risk customer base.  
   2. The obligations imposed on Centrapay would be disproportionate given the low risk of money laundering and terrorism financing.  
   3. The exemption granted has a low impact on the integrity of the anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism system in alignment with section 157 of the Act.  

Contact

Any person wishing to provide comment on this notice should contact the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Team at the Ministry of Justice by emailing amlcft.exemptions@justice.govt.nz. 

Corrigendum

Previous exemptions

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand Limited and its Habitat Affiliates

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand Limited and Habitat Affiliates