Public Fundraising Symposium

Opening Plenary

This session sets the tone for the Symposium by grounding the conversation in why fundraising matters and how it connects the public to meaningful, lasting impact.

Drawing on real organisational experience and stories from his leadership of Barnardos Aotearoa, Matt explores the vital role of kotahitanga, trust, and transparent practice in strengthening the charitable sector. He makes the case that united approaches and strong leadership build public confidence and demonstrate long-term value for communities.

You'll also be introduced to the concept of 'Mahia Atu' and what it means for the way we work together.

Understanding the Landscape: Performance, Trends & What Good Looks Like

This session offers a clear-eyed, data-led view of where fundraising in Aotearoa New Zealand stands right now. Drawing on benchmarking data and sector insights, Fi McPhee unpacks the trends shaping fundraising performance, what the numbers reveal about emerging patterns, and what separates organisations that are thriving from those facing headwinds. Where relevant, the picture is widened with international comparisons to show how New Zealand measures up globally.

Adapting, Prioritising & Sustaining Impact in Practice

A strategic session exploring how organisations are responding to pressure, navigating competing priorities, and making critical decisions in complex environments.

Grounded in real-world experience, this session will unpack how leaders are balancing immediate demands with long-term sustainability - and how they are making practical decisions to sustain fundraising outcomes and impact over time.

In this session, we’ll explore:

• Balancing short-term demands with long-term sustainability and impact
• Navigating competing priorities and making decisions in complex environments
• How organisations are adapting and responding in practice

Sustainable Regular Giving & Governance - Strengthening Performance, Oversight & Long-Term Value

A practical deep dive into regular giving as a key driver of sustainable fundraising, with a focus on governance, accountability, and long-term impact.

This session will explore how organisations can move beyond short-term metrics to better understand performance, strengthen oversight, and build programmes that deliver lasting value for both supporters and causes.

In this session, we’ll cover:

• How to assess effectiveness beyond short-term ROI
• Governance oversight and organisational responsibility
• Practical frameworks for managing and strengthening regular giving programmes

The Future of Fundraising - AI, Ethics & Responsible Practice

This session explores AI in fundraising through the lens of ethics, responsible use, and practical policy - with a clear focus on one key point: none of this works unless we first understand the technology itself.

Designed to build confidence, not overwhelm, the session will combine presentation and discussion with open Q&A, giving space to unpack both the opportunities and the challenges in a grounded, accessible way.

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how AI is being used, what responsible practice looks like, and where to start within your own organisation.

Panel: Principles in Practice - What Does Good Look Like Inside Organisations?

What does fundraising that builds trust and delivers impact actually look like inside organisations?

This curated panel brings together charity leaders to share how principles are applied in real-world fundraising - across teams, campaigns, and day-to-day decision-making. Moving beyond theory, the session will explore how organisations navigate complexity, manage risk, and balance competing priorities, while staying focused on long-term sustainability and public trust.

Through honest reflections on what’s worked, and what hasn’t - this session offers practical insight into how strong fundraising outcomes are achieved in practice.

In this session, we’ll explore:

• How principled fundraising supports more effective outcomes, trust, and long-term sustainability
• Navigating complexity, risk, and competing priorities in real-world environments
• Lessons learned from experience - what’s worked, what hasn’t, and why

Closing Reflections & Discussion - From Insight to Action

A facilitated close to reflect on key takeaways from the day and identify practical actions attendees can take back into their organisations.

PFRA Awards

The day will conclude with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association Awards, recognising excellence, professionalism and best practice across the membership - reinforcing what “good” looks like in practice.