A good charitable decision

The Herald reports:

Kiwis Against Seabed Mining has been denied charitable status and the accompanying tax benefits as it’s considered an advocacy group, rather than an educational group as it argued.

Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) describes itself as a community-based action group that raises awareness of mining proposals and educates the public.

A clearly correct decision. Far too many lobby groups masquerade as charities.

The Charities Registration Board, in a decision reached on December 15, said that while it accepts KASM has a charitable end of protecting the environment, the main way that it aims to achieve this is by advocating against seabed mining applications, putting a moratorium on seabed mining and promoting its views to the public.

To be a charity you actually need to go out there and help people and spend your money on helping people. Spending your money on political advocacy is not charitable.