Family First is in court today to defend what it says is its right to speak out on issues that may be controversial - and still be classed as a charity.

The Charities Registration Board wants to de-register its charity status.

Family First spokesman Bob McCoskrie says its highly public campaigns against controversial legislation including the anti-smacking law and the same-sex marriage law don't sit well with the board.

"Those say that our view is controversial in contemporary New Zealand society and therefore we don't serve a public benefit," McCoskrie told Newstalk ZB. 

"A lot of groups are doing that. Our concern is consistency that if we're an organisation that are deemed 'can't be charitable then other organisations that are speaking up on various issues like us - they might also not be deemed charitable as well."