This private bill amends the Carter Trust Act 1961 and the will of the late Charles Rooking Carter to allow the winding up of the Carter Trust, a charitable trust administered by Public Trust. The trust's investments currently fund distributions to the Carter Society (which operates the Carter Court Care Home) and an annuity to the Anglican Vicar of Carterton; the bill enables final distributions to the Society and to the Anglican Parish of Carterton and permits the Society's rules to be amended. It has passed all stages — its third reading was agreed on the voices on 29 April 2026 (recorded provisionally from the uncorrected transcript) — and is now an Act.
This private bill amends the will of the late Charles Rooking Carter to enable the winding up of the charitable Carter Trust and distributions by Public Trust as executor, clarifies Public Trust's legal liability in relation to the trust, and allows the Carter Society Incorporated to amend its rules without the approval of the Minister of Health. It is a mechanism to modernise and resolve the administration of a long-standing charitable bequest.
Supporters argue that updating the terms lets funds be applied and administered sensibly rather than being constrained by outdated arrangements. As with other bills that vary a trust or bequest, discussion can centre on whether the change respects the original benefactor's intent and the interests of the trust's beneficiaries.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.