Bequests, Leave a Gift in Your Will
A gift in your will is a powerful way to support future generations of New Zealanders to develop confident communication skills.
After taking care of your loved ones, even a small gift can help ensure Speech New Zealand continues to support learners, teachers, and communities across Aotearoa.
You don’t need to make a decision today, but if you’re considering it, we’re here to help.
Why leave a gift to Speech New Zealand?
Speech New Zealand has been supporting communication, confidence, and connection for generations. A gift in your will helps ensure this work continues long into the future. Supporting young people, educators, and communities to develop the skills they need to express themselves and be heard.
Your gift could help:
increase access to communication and speech education
support the development of teachers and programmes
ensure our work continues where it is needed most
Every gift, no matter the size, makes a lasting difference.
How it works
How leaving a gift in your will works
Leaving a gift in your will (also known as a bequest) is simple. After providing for your family and loved ones, you can choose to leave a portion of your estate to Speech New Zealand.
You can do this when:
creating a new will, or
updating an existing will with your lawyer
We always recommend speaking with a solicitor or legal advisor to ensure your wishes are clearly recorded.
Types of Gifts
Ways you can leave a gift
Most people choose to leave their gift for general purposes, allowing Speech New Zealand to use it where it is needed most. This gives us the flexibility to respond to changing needs and opportunities over time. If you are interested in supporting a specific area of our work, we recommend talking with us first so we can ensure your wishes can be honoured in a practical and lasting way.
If you’re unsure what might be right for you, your lawyer can help guide you. There are several ways you can include Speech New Zealand in your will:
Residuary
gift
A share or percentage of what remains of your estate after other gifts and expenses have been taken care of.
Percentage
gift
A set percentage of your total estate.
Fixed
sum
A specific amount of money.
Specific
gift
A particular item such as property, shares, or another asset.
Information
For your solicitor
When including Speech New Zealand in your will, your solicitor may need the following details:
Legal name: New Zealand Speech Board
Trading name: Speech New Zealand
Charity registration number: CC10771
NZBN: 9429042690429
Postal address: PO Box 12023, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
The following examples can also be shared with your solicitor. They will ensure the wording is appropriate for your personal circumstances:
Residuary gift
I give to New Zealand Speech Board (trading as Speech New Zealand), registered charity CC10771, the residue of my estate [or ___% of the residue of my estate] for its general charitable purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an authorised officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge to my executors.
Percentage gift
I give to New Zealand Speech Board (trading as Speech New Zealand), registered charity CC10771, ___% of my estate for its general charitable purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an authorised officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge to my executors.
Fixed sum
I give to New Zealand Speech Board (trading as Speech New Zealand), registered charity CC10771, the sum of NZ$___ for its general charitable purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an authorised officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge to my executors.
Specific gift
I give to New Zealand Speech Board (trading as Speech New Zealand), registered charity CC10771, [description of asset] for its general charitable purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an authorised officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge to my executors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bequest?
A bequest is a gift that you choose to leave to a person or organisation in your will. It can be a specific amount of money, a percentage of your estate, or a particular asset such as property or shares. For many people, it’s a simple and meaningful way to support causes they care about, while still taking care of family and loved ones first.
Can I add Speech NZ to an existing will?
If you already have a will, it is usually straightforward to add Speech New Zealand. Your solicitor can update your will to include your gift and ensure it is signed and witnessed correctly.
What information does my lawyer need?
When meeting with your solicitor, it can be helpful to take:
the details of Speech New Zealand (above)
the type of gift you would like to leave
whether your gift is for general purposes or a specific area
your current will (if you have one)
any questions about how your wishes can be recorded
Your solicitor will guide you through the process and ensure everything is legally valid.
Can I leave a gift for a specific purpose?
Yes, you can choose to leave a gift for a specific area of Speech New Zealand’s work. We recommend getting in touch with us first so we can talk through your intentions and ensure your gift can be used in a way that remains meaningful and practical over time.
Many people choose to leave their gift for general purposes, which allows us to respond to changing needs and have the greatest impact.
What happens if Speech NZ changes its structure or name in the future?
If Speech New Zealand changes its name, structure, or becomes part of another organisation in the future, your gift will still be used in a way that reflects your original intentions.
Your solicitor can include wording in your will to ensure your gift can be passed to a successor organisation with similar purposes if needed.
Do I need to let you know?
You are not required to tell us if you have included Speech New Zealand in your will. However, if you do choose to let us know, it gives us the opportunity to thank you and keep you connected with our work.
Any information you share will be treated with care and respect.
Can I remain anonymous?
Yes. You are welcome to remain completely anonymous.
If you do choose to let us know about your gift, we will always respect your wishes around privacy and recognition.
We’re here to help you
If you would like to talk about leaving a gift, or have any questions, please get in touch.
Email: info@speechnz.co.nz Phone: 04 498 9660
Helpful Info
To make things easier, we’ve created a simple guide you can download and share with your solicitor:
Legal Note
This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. We recommend you seek advice from your solicitor or legal advisor when making or updating your will.
Want to let us know about your gift?
If you’ve included Speech New Zealand in your will, or are planning to, we’d love to hear from you. There’s no obligation to tell us, but if you do, it helps us thank you and keep you connected to our work. All information is optional and will be treated with care and respect.
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