Wills Month 2026: What's On In Canterbury
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Wills Month
Kiwi values shape the way we live, but they can also shape what we leave behind.
September is Wills Month is a nationwide campaign led by Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand (CFANZ) to encourage Kiwis to make a will, keep it up to date and consider leaving a gift to charity.
Making a will might feel scary, but it's the only way you can be sure your wishes will be followed after you leave this world. It also means less confusion and heartache for your loved ones.
What's more, choosing to leave a gift in your will can be a meaningful way to support the causes and communities you care about, long after you’re gone. When you leave a gift to your local Community Foundation, whatever its size, it can be invested and grown over time, creating an ongoing source of support for your local community you love. And you can decide how it will be used.
It's becoming 'Kiwi as.'
Somewhere in Aotearoa New Zealand right now, a food bank is stocked, or a rescue crew is funded, or a teen is considering university because someone left a gift in their will years ago. It’s still doing its job long after they’re gone.
And research tells us giving back this way is becoming 'Kiwi as.'
In a survey of more than 3,000 Kiwis nationally, CFANZ and BERL found 52.3% of respondents were interested in the idea of leaving a charitable gift in their will, and 17.4% have already made the decision to do so. Personal values were the top reason Kiwis said they would choose to give this way.
For a full breakdown of these numbers, and the meanings and motivations behind them, check out the research summary here.
Source: Giving in Aotearoa NZ, BERL 2026
Download our free Will Information Pack
A will is an important way to make sure your wishes are understood and your affairs are in order. Our practical guide helps you prepare for making or updating your will, with useful information and prompts to help you think about who and what matters to you.
Create a Free Will Online
At Kura Tāwhiti Foundation, we believe everyone can make a meaningful contribution to our region's future. Now, with EveryWill, we can offer you a meaningful way to plan ahead, protect your loved ones, and, if you choose, leave a legacy gift that helps future generations thrive.
Only around half of adult New Zealanders have a will. Many put it off, thinking they don’t have enough to leave, or that it’s too complicated or expensive. The process takes as little as 10 minutes using EveryWill, is completely free, and completely legally valid. You don’t have to include Kura Tāwhiti in your will to access this service.
But should you decide to leave a gift, you’ll be helping us back more local changemakers, support vibrant community initiatives, and respond flexibly to the region's emerging and future needs. Just 1% of your estate can make a powerful difference.
We can’t see your personal information or what you choose to do through the platform. It’s private and secure, with clear guidance on how to make your will legally binding. And if your circumstances change, you can update it for free.
If you’ve been meaning to get your will sorted, take this as your sign. Click the link below, take 10 minutes, and create something that honours your intentions, for the people and places you love, forever.
Download our Will Information Pack
We’ve developed a free, practical guide to help you prepare for making or updating your will. It covers key considerations such as your loved ones, assets, executors and funeral wishes, as well as the ways you might want your estate to reflect what matters to you. Simply fill in the form below to receive a copy by email.
We’ll use the information you provide to send you this resource and for occasional updates about our work, news and opportunities to get involved. We won’t share your personal information with any third parties except where required by law. You can unsubscribe from our communications at any time.