"It is with dismay that we hear of NCWNZ's possible deregistration as a charity," says Angela McLeod, President BPWNZ.

The New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPWNZ), founded in 1939, is a Nationally Organised Society member of the National Council of Women of NZ (NCWNZ).

"It's not only in our best interest that NCW keeps its charitable status, it's in the best interest of all NZ women. In fact, it's in the interests of every organisation that works at all levels of society and who undertake to support, research needs and then advocate for change,"

When the legislation changed in 2005, there were calls to define charity; which the decision-makers chose to ignore. The current actions of the Charities Commission with NCW and others indicate that there needs to be a legal definition of charity and charitable institution.

NCWNZ is one of the key organisations that canvass the community on the definition of charity and charitable institution. The views collected from over half of the population on what should be the definition of charity and charitable institution would then be presented to the decision-makers who have the power to make life better for all New Zealanders.

"If NCWNZ loses its charitable status, then decision-makers might no longer hear the needs and opinions of New Zealand women and families.

"And that," says Mrs McLeod, "would be a tragedy."