Decision to deregister charities seen as short-sighted

The intention of the Charities Commission office to deregister the National Council of Women is short-sighted says ComVoices, an independent network of Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary groups.

Dave Henderson, Coordinator of ANGOA, says that: “Threatening an organisation as respected in the New Zealand community as the National Council of Women is very shortsighted and legalistic on the part of the Charities Commission.

"The Sector said when the Commission was being established that the definition of ‘charity’ is out of date. Labour and National both agreed, but then decided it was too hard.

"Now it's come back to haunt them. A respected national women's organisation is being singled out, when in reality most national non-profit organisations have advocacy as a natural part of what they do. New Zealand society benefits hugely from that, as does the Government.”

The recent announcement to deregister charities also goes directly against a statement that John Key made, while finance spokesperson for the National Party in 2006 that any changes to how a charity collects its income was “a powerful incentive for these organisations to toe the line but it's not in the country's interest that the Government effectively gags them.” [NZ Herald, 16 October, 2006]

Tina Reid, Executive Director of the New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations (NZFVWO) says: “The definition of what a charity is in New Zealand, including the scope of the work they do, is very limited.

“Community organisations that have been established to advocate for issues and social change have an important role in promoting public issues in New Zealand, and not being able to be registered as charities will create major hurdles for them in public opinion, and loss of some sources of funds.

“We expect this will be addressed in a review of the Commission in 2012.”

Ros Rice, Executive Officer of the New Zealand Council of Social Services (NZCOSS) says: “Organisations providing services, or advocating on behalf of vulnerable New Zealanders need their registered charity status to apply for funding grants, to accept donations and to be listed as donees for payroll giving.”

“Cutting off a charity’s ability to seek funds, by revoking their status as a charity, can lead to those charities no longer being able to exist.”

ENDS.

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