Greenpeace of New Zealand Inc v Charities Registration Board

COURT OR TRIBUNAL

High Court of New Zealand

DATE FILED (OR FIRST HEARING DATE)

02/12/2019

LITIGATION TYPE

Access to Justice

SUBJECT MATTER

Other

REVIEW TYPE

Judicial review

SUMMARY

(Lexis Catchwords & Digest)

Administrative law — Judicial review — Charities Commission — No evidence

Determination on orders. Appellant was focusing on advocacy for environment protection, funded by gifts from supporters sought for charitable status. Proceeding concerned appellant's political purpose were regarded as not charitable purpose to be qualified for registration. Board declined application on ground of illegal purpose. Sought appeal on Board's decision. Filed judicial review on ground of apparent bias considering issue involving opposition to former Board member's actions. Finding that Board erred in not taking evidence and declined application and did not consider applicant's advocacy for environment protection. Finding that applicant's advocacy had charitable public benefit which contributed to end goal of protecting environment. Finding that variety of forms on applicant's advocacy as well as purpose to promote peace, nuclear disarmament and elimination of weapons of mass destruction were not illegal. Finding that applicant should be allowed and entitled for registration. Determination made.

CASE DOCUMENTS

Greenpeace of New Zealand Inc v Charities Registration Board [2020] NZHC 1999