November 23 2021
For the third time in less than two months, controversial Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki was called before a judge on Tuesday regarding new allegations he violated Covid-19 lockdown orders. Video / Chris Tarpey
Supporters of Brian Tamaki have gathered outside the Auckland Prison Remand Centre in Mt Eden, as the Destiny Church leader faces fresh charges in relation to the anti-lockdown protest in Auckland at the weekend.
Police earlier confirmed they have taken enforcement action against two people - Brian and Hannah Tamaki - after a gathering was held on Saturday in breach of Auckland's alert level restrictions.
Brian Tamaki, 63, had been charged with failing to comply with Order (Covid-19) under the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act and would also be appearing for breach of his bail conditions.
Hannah, 60, had also been charged with two counts of failing to comply with the order.
Brian Tamaki is appearing via an audiovisual link, while Hannah would be released on bail to appear in court at a later stage, police said.
Through his lawyer, Tamaki has pleaded not guilty to both new charges.
Ahead of Tamaki's appearance, a crowd of supporters gathered at the police station with an MC telling them he believes Tamaki will be released from police custody.
Eyewitnesses described the mood as convivial, with music blaring from speakers, supporters chanting "free Tamaki" and neighbours on their decks watching the crowd, who have been here for around three hours.
Supporters were earlier singing waiata and sitting under sun umbrellas. A small group of police officers are guarding the entrance to the prison.
While police did not name the Tamakis, the couple were told to attend Auckland Central police station earlier today.
Acting Auckland City district commander Superintendent Shanan Gray said police could not rule out further arrests in relation to the protest.
'I have done nothing wrong' Tamaki tells supporters
The couple had claimed they had not broken the law, saying they are innocent of any wrongdoing.
They were met with rapturous applause when they reported to the Auckland Central Police Station.
"I am basically innocent. I have done nothing wrong," Tamaki said before entering the complex.
He maintained he did not incite anyone to break the law at the rally, keeping all the Covid requirements.
Tamaki told the crowd of more than 100 supporters he had the right to protest and had stuck to his bubble.
Most people at the gathering at Auckland's Domain were complying with the Covid restrictions, he said, and had gone out of their way to stick to restrictions. He remained puzzled over why he has been targeted by police.
"I think this is a national issue today. It's a very important issue to all New Zealanders - the right to gather," he said.
Brian Tamaki outside Auckland Central police station. Photo / Dean Purcell
He said the Government's new Covid-19 framework, the traffic light system, was the beginning of segregation and was going to discriminate against those who made a choice.
Tamaki predicted 2023 was going to be very dark days for this country and the freedom to protest and the freedom of speech was under assault right now.
"It's cost everything we have to stand for the freedom and rights of all New Zealanders. I believe that this is a great example about whether we're going to go forward and fight for our freedoms or roll over for a Government that does not care for its people," Tamaki said.
The Destiny founder was swamped by supporters cheering and applauding him as he arrived with his wife Hannah at the central Auckland police station. Photo / Dean Purcell
He said people had misunderstood "why we're doing this".
He was not a criminal and his arrests were a waste of taxpayers' money.
As he walked into the police station alongside his wife the Ka Mate haka was performed.
Earlier Hannah Tamaki confirmed she had been called in to speak with police with Brian.
On a livestream video this morning, she thanked supporters, including those who are praying for them.
Hannah Tamaki is hugged by a supporter outside Auckland Central Police Station. Photo / Dean Purcell
Some of the 100-odd supporters outside the police station held placards saying "Free to speak" near the entrance of the building, but most stood on the curbside waiting for the Tamakis. Some were chanting, with one man leading the crowd through a megaphone, with shouts of "freedom" ringing out.
Brian and Hannah Tamaki walk through the waiting crowd to address media. Photo / Dean Purcell
About half the crowd, which ranged from young children to the elderly, were wearing masks at today's gathering.
A small group of masked police officers were at the entrance of the station while other officers wandered through the crowd.
The Destiny Church leader was expected to address the crowd at 10am before he went into the station.
Brian Tamaki supporters have started to gather outside Auckland Central police station. Photo / Dean Purcell
In a post to social media ahead of their appointment, the couple had been told by their lawyer that the police wanted to speak to both of them and they were on their way to Auckland Central police station.
He referred to New Zealand as "Jacindaland" before denouncing Covid restrictions and vaccine mandates.
"I am not a citizen of Jacinda's New Zealand. I refuse to be a part of the New Zealand she is creating.
"I don't really want to be in the news. I'm tired of it after 30 years ... I hate it," he said.
Tamaki has already appeared in court twice since early October. The first appearance was on charges for organising a rally on October 2, allegedly in breach of Covid restrictions - he has pleaded not guilty.
He was ordered to stay away from future protests but was in court again on October 20 for fronting up at the second Domain protest on October 16, allegedly breaching bail.
He was allowed to remain free on bail on several conditions, including that he not "organise or attend any protests in breach of any Covid-19 level requirement", and that he not "use the internet for the purpose of organising, attending or encouraging non-compliance with the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act 2020".
'I'd rather live in dangerous freedom' - Brian Tamaki
Before announcing Tamaki to the stage, his wife Hannah said with a laugh they have been in contact with their lawyer Ron Mansfield QC every day concerning their legal issues stemming from the Domain protests.
Mansfield told the Weekend Herald he expected Tamaki was compliant with his bail conditions around the Covid-19 Public Health Act.
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, with wife Hannah Tamaki, speaks at the anti-lockdown protest in Auckland on Saturday. Photo / Brett Phibbs
"The conditions are not intended to prevent him taking part in a lawful protest. Whether others agree with the protest or not - a protest is not an unlawful activity," he said.
"The conditions are to prevent him from being or encouraging non-compliance with Covid requirements. I need to say he has denied ever doing that."
Mansfield conceded "obviously I am not there", but said Tamaki had instructed him that he had not sought to be "defiant as some have claimed or to breach the law, let alone his bail conditions".
"He [Tamaki] has just sought to express his views on government policy, like many have, whether they are for or against [them]."
