Maranga Mai has issued a strong condemnation of Destiny Church, accusing it of leading a campaign of hate, racial intimidation, and anti-democratic behavior, particularly referencing a recent march on Queen Street. Maranga Mai, a Māori-led coalition advocating for justice, language rights, and community empowerment, has strongly condemned a Destiny Church-led protest in downtown Auckland for its destructive and inflammatory actions. More than 300 Destiny Church supporters, led by Brian Tamaki, marched through Auckland’s CBD with banners proclaiming “NZ’s official religion: Christianity.” During the rally, protesters tore down and burned flags belonging to Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Palestinian, LGBTQ+, and media communities. They also performed a haka aimed at intimidation and mimicked desecration rituals. This was part of a broader “defence of faith, flag, and family” crusade that echoed prior events targeting Pride celebrations and drag shows earlier in 2025.
Toitū Te Tiriti and Kaiāwhina Aotearoa issued a joint statement condemning the protest as a “calculated media stunt… not rooted in tikanga Māori” and warned of its potential to incite real-world violence. Eru Kapa‑Kingi (Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi), legal academic and Toitū Te Tiriti leader, criticized the misuse of haka as a weapon, emphasizing Māori principles of mana and tapu equality across diverse communities. Ngāti Pāoa Health Service called the scene “hate-fuelled,” urging accountability and respect for cultural identity.
