New Zealand's SPCA is advising lawyers that following its recent restructure, bequests should be directed differently.

On 1 July 2026, the SPCA restructured from an incorporated society (The Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Incorporated, Charities Commission number CC22705 (RNZSPCA Society)) to an incorporated charitable trust (Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Charities Commission number CC64075 (RNZSPCA Trust)).

Lawyers are advised that RNZSPCA Society will be wound up after a transitional period, and the only legal entity remaining will be RNZSPCA Trust.

New bequests should refer to RNZSPCA Trust. If possible, existing references to RNZSPCA Society in wills should be amended to refer to RNZSPCA Trust.

There will be a change to SPCA’s bank account details in connection with the restructure. The RNZSPCA Trust’s new bank account details are as follows:

Account name: Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Account number: 03-0162-0258012-002

Bank address: 16 Takutai Square Auckland Central Auckland 1010 New Zealand

All bequests are managed centrally, and RNZSPCA Trust requests that the address for service for any matters and any bequests is given as PO Box 15349, New Lynn, Auckland 0640.