FAQs

WWF is the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over five million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries on six continents.

When WWF was first set up in 1961, WWF stood for World Wildlife Fund. In 1986 we changed our name to World Wide Fund for Nature to reflect the broad nature of WWF’s conservation work, which includes not only species protection, but also looking after habitats, reversing environmental degradation, and tackling climate change. However, since July 2000, WWF has generally been known simply by its initials.

WWF-New Zealand is a national office of WWF and part of its international global network. We were established as a New Zealand charitable trust in 1975. A directory of all WWF offices can be found here.

Our big focus is on policy advocacy - influencing government and industry to help achieve the outcomes we want for our native species and habitats. We also support local groups with conservation work out in the field all around Aotearoa.

WWF-New Zealand supports a range of local conservation projects across New Zealand through our WWF Community Conservation Fund and other funding. Find our more here.

WWF works to conserve endangered species, protect endangered spaces, and address global threats to the planet such as climate change. Much of our work is for the protection of endangered animals in the wild. We do not have the experience or expertise to deal with issues relating to animals in captivity.

While we are constantly striving to build a world in which humans live in harmony with nature, animal welfare issues are outside of our legally-binding constitution.

These other organisations, whose work and expertise we value, provide information and advice on animal welfare issues:

• SPCA
• SAFE 
• New Zealand Animal Law Association 
• National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee  
• MPI

Check out our success stories and our historic timeline to find out about the various things we have achieved. 

All career opportunities at WWF-New Zealand are listed on the page Work For Us, however we are a very small team, so they do not come up very often. International opportunities within the WWF network can be found here.

Due to our small size, we do not currently run a volunteer or paid internship programme. You may be like to check out the internships offered by The Ministry for the  Environment and NIWA and any opportunities at Conservation Volunteers.

Yes, we are a registered charity CC33788. Our IRD number is 026-914-744. Our full legal name is World Wide Fund for Nature New Zealand.

Yes. Donations to WWF-New Zealand of $5 and over are eligible for a 33.33% tax credit.

Most of our fundraising income comes from individual supporters. We also receive funding from trusts and foundations and corporate sponsors/partnerships.

The majority of funds raised in New Zealand are spent in New Zealand. A small proportion is used to support the work of WWF internationally.

A breakdown of funds raised and expenditure can be found in every annual report, which can be found here. 

You can make one-time or monthly donations via credit card online at wwf.org.nz or by phoning us on 0800 4357 993 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday or directly into our bank account. You can find more information here.

You can stop your donation by giving at least two business days’ notice of the change or cancellation by emailing us at [email protected] or calling our team on 0800 4357 993 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Yes, you can read it here.

WWF-New Zealand relies on the generosity of our supporters to fund our conservation and advocacy work. Your donations will have a powerful impact in protecting endangered species and defending our natural world. Your support is also critically important to our ability to campaign and effectively advocate for our wildlife.

We will keep you updated on how you are making a difference, through letters, receipts, our regular newsletters, social media and our annual Conservation Impact Report.

Yes, for monthly donations an annual donation receipt will be sent to  you after the end of the personal tax year 31 March. One-off donation receipts are sent automatically after the gift is made.

No. Only individuals who earned taxable income during the tax year and were a New Zealand tax resident at any time during the tax year, can claim a donation tax credit.
 

No. IRD advises: “If you want to use your donation tax credit to make another donation, you should use that organisation’s usual donation process. Do not share the credit directly with the organisation when you claim your receipt”.
 

No, your adoption is symbolic. By adopting you’ll be contributing to the areas of WWF’s work, both in New Zealand and internationally, that protect your chosen animal and their habitat.

If your adoption is a monthly donation, it is ongoing and you'll continue to receive updates on your species. One-off adoptions are just for the month in which the donation was made. 

To minimise the impact on the environment, our adoption packs are digital-only products. All communications and materials will be sent electronically.
 

Yes. If adopting for a child, please use the ‘as a gift’ option. We will send the certificate and updates in their name, but donation details need to be for an adult.

No, adoptions are only available through the website. 

We respect and protect your personal information. We are committed to complying with or exceeding all applicable privacy laws. You can read our Privacy Policy here.

You will become part of a group of people petitioning the government on an issue. Some of our petitions are also presented to Parliament.

By providing us with your personal information, you accept our privacy policy and authorise us to collect, store and process your information as outlined in that policy. We will never sell or rent your personal information to any other person or entity.

If you want to sign the petition without opting into further communications you can do that on our website - providing a phone number and opting into further communications is optional. You may receive an email acknowledging your signature, but nothing more.

The phone is one of the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective fundraising methods for WWF-New Zealand. We are currently getting help from our telemarketing partners at Mondial. We are a small team, so this allows us to focus on other areas of the organisation. 

We only call people who have opted-in to receiving phone calls from WWF. We call them to raise awareness of our vital conservation work and to give members of the public the opportunity to support us. We also call our supporters to keep them informed and thank them for their support. We may also ask them to renew their support and/or increase their monthly gift if they want to. 

If you don’t want to receive telephone calls from WWF-New Zealand, you can easily opt-out anytime by calling our Supporter Care team on 0800 4357993 or email [email protected]
 

Yes, absolutely. Petitions presented to Parliament can lead to legislative change and/or raise awareness of an important issue. The more signatures on a petition, the more collective power we have to make a difference! 

If you have any questions or thoughts you’d like to share, please get in touch with us.  

You can email us at [email protected] or call our team on 0800 4357 993 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. More info here.
 

There are strict requirements for logo usage, so if this is of interest, please contact us by emailing [email protected].

We are supportive of the use of 1080 to control invasive pest species in New Zealand. 

In New Zealand, invasive pest species are a serious threat to the sensitive and unique environment where the native wildlife and vegetation has evolved in the absence of mammalian omnivores.  

You can read more about our position here.
 

WWF-New Zealand believes that aiding communities and schools to take conservation action is vital to conserving biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

We know that people learn the value of protecting the environment when they take action themselves. By cleaning up and restoring their local stream or contributing directly to native species protection, people get a first-hand learning experience – one that can inspire a lifetime of sustainable living. 

The Community Conservation Fund provides funds for a range of activities that help to protect or restore biodiversity and ecosystems in Aotearoa. It is targeted at established community groups with a proven track record of delivering conservation and restoration projects. 

WWF is the Environmental Donation Manager for the Tindall Foundation and has delivered community conservation and educational funding support in partnership with them since 2000.    

The Community Conservation Fund provides one-off grants of up to a maximum of $15,000, for a funding period of one year.

Previous recipients may re-apply to consecutive funding rounds up to three years, or in some circumstances five years. If you are re-applying for consecutive funding over three years, you will have to demonstrate to us that your project is still having a positive effect in an area with great need (such as areas experiencing high biodiversity loss).

No, there should be only one application per organisation.

• Small community groups employing less than five full-time equivalent (FTE) staff. If more than five FTE staff, you may still apply if you are able to demonstrate in your application that your project has high engagement with the broader community outside of staff members.
• Locally constituted branches of national organisations with their own constitution, management committee and set of accounts.
• Environmental education providers.
• Educational institutions (not for core education). 

For more information about eligibility, refer to the Application Guidelines.

If you have more than five FTE staff, you may still apply if you are able to demonstrate in your application that your project has high engagement with the broader community outside of staff members.

• Administration and operational expenses; e.g. wages for positions that are directly applicable to programme delivery – subject to clear and transparent governance and management arrangements.
• Development of restoration or management plans (by consultants or staff).  
• Project delivery expenses (materials/equipment/tools/contractors).
• Costs associated with species translocations or re-introductions including feasibility studies.
• Costs associated with the ongoing running of a nursery if this is the most effective method of securing eco-sourced native plants or can demonstrate increased community involvement or awareness raising.
• Costs associated with monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes.
• Volunteer expenses; travel costs, refreshments, training.
• Publicity and promotional materials (posters/leaflets/photos/video production/interpretation signs etc.) and other community outreach and engagement activities that help to raise public awareness of the project in the local community.
• Capital assets are supported, but the total request/purchase must not exceed $3,000 per application.
• Skill training (facilitation/venue hire/equipment/materials).

They open 15 August and close 11:59pm on 15 September every year.

You can apply by following the link to the application form on our website, which may not be available until 15 August. 

Once you submit your application, it will go through a shortlisting process. The shortlisted projects will then be reviewed by the allocation committee who will determine who receives funding. 

Applicants will be notified late October/early November if they have been successful.