Destiny leader on campaign trail

Despite Destiny Church registering are one per cent in the polls, leader Bishop Brian Tamaki predicts the political wing of the church will be a potent political force in the upcoming election.

"It's not like we've dropped out of a hallelujah session," he said in Palmerston North yesterday.

The TV evangelist went walkabout in the city yesterday as part of his tour of the provinces for his new show, Nation Under Siege.

He was accompanied by Richard Lewis, the head of the church's political wing Destiny New Zealand.

Destiny is contesting the Maori and several other seats in the upcoming election.

Dressed in black and sporting his trademark slicked-back hair, Bishop Tamaki attracted plenty of stares from passers-by.

Few were game to approach the man in black, but two people shouted abuse, to which he responded by smiling.

However others who seemed to know Bishop Tamaki did approach him and shook his hand.

Destiny has yet to found a church in Palmerston North, though it has a presence in most other New Zealand cities.

- nzpa