New Zealand

Cancer charity says media reports on spending unfair

15:46 pm on 25 March 2013

A cancer charity is defending itself amidst questions over the way it spends its money.

The Cancer Research Charitable Trust has suspended its fundraising in New Zealand following claims it has been spending a large amount of money overseas and on staff and administration costs.

The Department of Internal Affairs and the Serious Fraud Office are reviewing the activities of the charity.

But the executive officer of the trust, Troy Manhire, denies media reports that claim it has donated just 5% of its funds raised over the past four years to charitable objectives.

He says that figure is actually about 40%.

Mr Manhire says reporting on the charity has taken an unfair slant and says it has always acted prudently.