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February 17, 2025
John Tamihere condemns Destiny Church disruption
Atereano Mateariki
Posted On February 17, 2025
Download AudioTe Whānau o Waipareira chief executive John Tamihere says the recent events in his Te Atatū community were the result of a manipulative “man of God” authorising violence against others.
On Saturday, around 30 adults and young children were barricaded in a room for their safety when a group linked to Destiny Church interrupted a performance by drag queen Hugo Grrl, who was teaching meteorology to children through songs and books.
Tamihere says Brian Tamaki, Destiny Church founder and church apostle—whom he once supported—has morphed into believing he is God himself, leading to exertions of power like this.
“I feel really sorry for the people he has entrapped because they’re good people. They’re just looking for a way out of their difficulties, and in a moment in time, he’s providing some light at the moment, that light now is turning into the darkness of prejudice and discrimination that we suffer daily, and that is part of the reason why they turn to cult figures like the God of Brian,” says Tamihere.
No arrests have been made so far concerning the incident.
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