KEY POINTS:
Destiny Church has become an Urban Maori Authority, meaning it could soon stand to receive millions in government handouts.
The controversial church is known for its extreme conservative stance on social issues.
Destiny spokeswoman Janine Cardano says the Church has recently acquired the status of an Urban Maori Authority.
The move means it joins other regional groups representing thousands of Maori who have lost contact with their iwi.
The Waipareira Trust which is also a UMA, received 20 million dollars as part of a massive fisheries claim in 2003.
- NEWSTALK ZB
