Wellington, June 28 NZPA - Greenpeace New Zealand has gone to the High Court after it was denied charitable status by the Charities Commission.

Executive director Bunny McDiarmid said Greenpeace had appealed against the commission's decision to the High Court, the Dominion Post reported.

The appeal is likely to be heard in August or September.

Income tax exemption is only granted to registered charities.

Ms McDiarmid said tax exemption did not make much difference "because we're not in business".

The commission said Greenpeace's promotion of "disarmament and peace" was political rather than educational and while it did not directly advocate illegal acts, Greenpeace members had acted illegally.