Social Service Council of the Diocese of Christchurch

Date Made

Date signed: 2026-06-15

Sectors

Discretionary investment management services (DIMS)

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: Social Service Council of the Diocese of Christchurch

Commencement date

This exemption comes into force on 2026-06-15

End date

This exemption will expire on 2031-06-15

Exemption

As the Associate Minister of Justice, and pursuant to section 157 of the Act, I exempt Social Service Council of the Diocese of Christchurch (“SSCDC”) from the following provisions of the Act in respect of the management of Christmas funds on behalf of clients in the City Mission’s night shelter or day programme: 

1. 1. Sections 10-71 (inclusive) 

Conditions

This exemption is made subject to the following conditions: 

1. 1. SSCDC remain a registered charity pursuant to the Charities Act 2005; 
   2. The exemption applies only to customers who have engaged with SSCDC through one of their formal programmes;
   3. The Christmas Club account be used to accumulate no more than $1,000 per customer; and 
   4. SSCDC must inform the Minister of Justice of any change that may affect the exemption within 10 working days of when the change 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 SSCDC because:  
      1. SSCDC is not-for-profit charitable entity with a strong focus on social services, social justice and emergency housing.  
      2. The transaction value and transaction volume are both small and formally limited by the conditions.  
      3. The exemption only applies to the deposit of funds in the Christmas Club account.  
      4. The deposits received by the Christmas Club fund are not invested in any way and are returned to the individual who deposited them.  
   2. The obligations imposed on SSCDC 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

Social Service Council of the Diocese of Christchurch