Who is a charity?

The Herald reports:

Greenpeace has won the right to register as a charity, the Supreme Court found today.

No. They have won the right to apply again.

Greenpeace has been involved in a lengthy court battle after a previous application to register as a charity was dismissed because it was found to be too political and its protests could land them on the wrong side of the law.

Today the Supreme Court found that political advocacy for a charitable undertaking is allowed.

It was a 3-2 decision which will now mean that almost anyone can be considered a charity. Family First certainly will be eligible now.

In light of this decision Greenpeace will now have to the right to apply to the Charities Board, formerly the Charities Commission, for reconsideration.

This decision made New Zealand democracy a little stronger, Greenpeace’s executive director Bunny McDiarmid said.

“It means that the Supreme Court has now recognised that trying to change our world for the better, and taking on government to do that, is a public good.

On that basis, the Labour Party is also a charity. So let’s make donations to all political parties tax deductible. I’d donate a lot more if I could claim it off tax!