Te Rātā Atawhai, the Charities Registration Board's Statement on Greenpeace High Court decision

Published 14 August 2020

The appeal to the High Court by Greenpeace of New Zealand Incorporated (the Society) of Te Rātā Atawhai the Charities Registration Board's decision has been upheld.  In March 2018, the Board declined the Society’s application to be a registered charity under the Charities Act 2005.

The High Court on 10 August 2020 decided that the Society qualifies for registration.

The role of the Board

The role of the Board is to maintain the integrity of the Charities Register by ensuring that entities on the Charities Register qualify for registration. The Board makes charities registration decisions based on the facts before it, applying the relevant statutory and case law, and maintaining consistency of its approach with previous decisions.

A purpose is charitable if it advances a public benefit in a way that is analogous to cases that have previously been held to be charitable. Board decisions can be appealed to the High Court.

The Board does not have an active role in appeals. 

View the Court’s decision here.(external link)