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Destiny Church's political wing - Destiny New Zealand - says it is committed to fighting the 2008 election, despite former United Future MP Gordon Copeland saying he will head a similar party into the polls.
The move means that the chances of either party getting the votes required to make it into Parliament will be reduced as possible Christian voters will have to make a choice between the two parties
Mr Copeland quit United Future last week and became an independent MP, but says he will relaunch the former Christian-based party Future New Zealand.
He will campaign on repealing changes to the smacking law and general Christian principle.
Some believe he may be able to garner some support due to widespread opposition to the smacking laws, but his chances will be diluted if there are a number of parties competing for the vote.
Destiny New Zealand leader Richard Lewis said his party is still the only legitimately registered Christian-based political party.
"We achieved a fair result in the 2005 election as the highest polling party outside of Parliament," Mr Lewis said.
In 2005, Destiny New Zealand picked up 14,210 votes (0.62 per cent), 100,000 votes short of getting past the 5 per cent threshold.
No solely Christian-based party has gained a seat in Parliament.
Christian Heritage came the closest in 1996 with 4 per cent of the vote, but it was eventually disbanded after tts former leader Graham Capill was convicted of multiple sex offences against young girls.
- NZPA
