Why this information has been requested

New Zealand has one of the highest numbers of registered charities per capita in the world, with approximately **29,000 registered charities** currently listed on the Charities Register.

Despite this, many **military veterans and their families report difficulty identifying and accessing charitable support**, particularly when they are injured, unwell, transitioning out of service, or dealing with complex interactions between Veterans’ Affairs, ACC, and other agencies.

This request seeks to establish a **basic, but currently unclear fact**:
**how many registered charities in New Zealand exist whose primary purpose is to support military veterans and/or their families**, and what those charities are.
---
## Why this matters in practice

For veterans, access to support often depends on:

* knowing *where to look*,
* understanding *who is eligible*,
* and being referred or signposted to the right organisation at the right time.

At present:

* there is **no publicly maintained, authoritative directory** of veteran-focused charities;
* veterans are often expected to self-navigate the Charities Register or rely on word-of-mouth;
* and it is unclear whether agencies and representative bodies have visibility of the full charitable landscape that could support veterans.

Without a clear understanding of **what charitable support exists**, it is difficult for:

* veterans to find help,
* agencies to refer appropriately,
* representative bodies to advocate effectively,
* or policymakers to assess whether gaps in support exist.
---
## What this request is (and is not)

This request **does not assume wrongdoing**, nor does it suggest that charities or agencies are failing.

It simply asks for:

* a **count** of veteran-focused registered charities;
* the **criteria used** to identify them;
* and confirmation of whether such information is already held or classified by Charities Services.

This is foundational transparency information that would normally be expected to be readily available for a distinct population group such as military veterans.
---
## Why the Department of Internal Affairs is being asked

The Department of Internal Affairs, through Charities Services, is:

* the regulator of registered charities;
* the maintainer of the Charities Register;
* and the holder of the most authoritative data on charitable purposes and classifications.

If this information is not currently available in a usable form, that in itself is an important governance signal about **discoverability and accessibility of support**.
---
## Public interest

There is a clear public interest in:

* ensuring veterans can locate support without unnecessary barriers;
* understanding whether charitable capacity aligns with veteran need;
* and supporting informed discussion between government, representative bodies, and the community about how veterans are best supported.

The outcome of this request will be shared with veteran representative organisations and used to inform constructive, evidence-based discussion about visibility, navigation, and support pathways.
---
*This annotation is intended to provide context for readers and does not prejudge the outcome of the request.*