Comedian Celeste Barber's lawyers and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) are expected to engage in a legal battle on the expenditure of her NZ$55 million donation.
Barber's large contribution, who helped raised the money for those battling the bushfire crisis through a Facebook fundraiser, has been locked due to RFS rules, reported the Sunday Telegraph.
The regulations state that donations can only be spent on firefighting equipment and training and not families in need and other charities.
RFS spokesman Ben Shepherd said the RFS and Barber's lawyers are working through the issue.
"No one is being bad about this, it's all very amicable, and we will try and see her wishes through.
"But, as it stands, the RFS is the beneficiary and we can't donate money people gave us to other charities," he told Sunday Telegraph.
Despite the explanation, some people are regretting their donation to the fund.
"I requested a refund of my donation via Facebook when I realised the money was not going to reach those in desperate need," said one person.
Barber raised the money in early January, through a Facebook funding page.
"You guys are amazing. This is all so crazy. I just realised that some of you aren’t on Insta so can’t see my updates. I still can’t believe all of this. Big love rockstars," Barber posted on January 17, 2020.
