Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has denounced today’s Destiny Church protest in downtown Auckland.
Hundreds have marched from Aotea Square down Queen St, in what the church billed as a rally “in defence of faith, flag and family”.
Destiny Church said the march was to take “a bold public stand for Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation”.
Church leader Brian Tamaki claimed “uncontrolled immigration” in the United Kingdom had led to spikes in crime and a collapse in British identity.
Tamaki said the church was building a “Commonwealth crusade” to “reclaim Christian nations”.
Watch the Destiny Church protesters march through downtown Auckland on TVNZ+
At one point, flags – which an RNZ reporter said appeared to include rainbow flags and flags representing mainstream media – were set alight.
Seymour said the church leader’s messaging was “un-Kiwi”.
“What it means to be Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they’re welcome,” he said.
“Brian Tamaki’s various attitudes have all sorts of problems, but at their heart they’re un-Kiwi attitudes because they’re intolerant and uninclusive.
“What I take issue with is his attacks on other New Zealander’s right to practice their faith just as he has a right to practice his.”
Ahead of the march, Tamaki said church leaders had sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calling for a reversal on a position that the country has no official religion.
He said one demand included enforcing a policy of “no immigration without assimilation” – a phrase also chanted during the protest march.
The acting prime minister said Destiny Church was free to criticise the Government.
“Christianity has given a lot to New Zealand but some New Zealanders find faith in other teachings, and so long as they are committed to tolerance for all, then that’s not a problem,” he said.
“I just want all New Zealanders to know, that if they come here in good faith to build a better society with tolerance of others then they are welcome here.
“And Brian Tamaki certainly has no right to tell you otherwise.”
Fire and Emergency crews were called to the march after flags were set on fire. However rally goers then put the flames out with water and the arriving firefighters then left without taking action.
Police were stationed at the protest, but said they did not make any arrests.
The Destiny marchers were met by counterprotesters – an RNZ reporter said there were about 100 present at one stage – who were waving tino rangatiratanga flags and Palestine flags.
rnz.co.nz
