NZ Charity CEOs Cash In on Multi-Million Dollar Salaries

The not-for-profit sector in New Zealand employs over 200,000 people and accounts for about 10% of the country's economy. To shed light on this giant sector, Business Investigations Reporter Matt Nippert analyzed more than 200 annual reports to identify key management personnel and their remuneration. Among those identified are University of Auckland vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater, Lincoln University vice-chancellor Prof Grant Edwards, Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust and Group CEO Donna Flavell, and Southern Cross Health Trust Group CEO Nick Astwick.

The analysis reveals that the top managers in these charities earn significant salaries. While specific figures are not provided in the report, it is clear that these executives are among the highest-paid individuals in New Zealand's charitable sector. The findings raise questions about the level of remuneration for charity bosses, particularly when compared to those in other industries.

The report also highlights the dominance of a few large charities in the sector, with some employing thousands of staff and managing vast amounts of funds. This concentration of power and resources has sparked concerns about accountability and transparency within these organizations.