But other church leaders in the city have been quick to admonish Bishop Tamaki's comments.
Reverend Alex Czerwonka of Rotorua St Luke's Church said Bishop Tamaki's comments were "complete nonsense" and apologising would be the gracious thing to do.
"That said, he's had opportunities to apologise and he hasn't. He's not the type of person to back down, having a career built on being God's mouthpiece he won't then turn around and say 'oops, I got it wrong'.
"Brian Tamaki declared in a sermon at his church that the earthquakes in Christchurch and Kaikoura are God's punishment for sin, especially homosexuality. This is not so much an inspired utterance as evidence of a troubling mindset.
"Christians look to Jesus for authority in moral guidance. Jesus did not attribute random disasters, poor health or disability directly with moral failure . . ."
Mr Czerwonka said there was no justification to draw links between earthquakes and homosexuality.
"Both earthquakes and homosexuality were poorly understood features of our natural and social environment until recently but we know better now. Mr Tamaki's appalling statement mistakenly perceives a pattern that is not supported by the evidence and is denied by Jesus."
The bishop's sermon came one day before a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed two and left thousands stranded, with limited food, water, shelter and communication.
He also blamed a gay priest and the people of Christchurch for the earthquakes that hit Canterbury in 2010 and 2011 which killed 185 people.
The comments have attracted widespread condemnation and have been labelled homophobic.
An online petition to have Destiny Church stripped of its tax-free status has already gained more than 100,000 supporters.
Pastor Andrew Parrington of Rotorua's Living Well Church said he did not agree with Bishop Tamaki's comments.
"If what I've read in the media has been reported in context about the earthquake being the result of specific sin, then no I don't hold the same view as Bishop Tamaki and I know it doesn't reflect the view of most Christians about natural disasters.
"However, on some issues Bishop Tamaki has spoken out on before I have agreed and Destiny Church Rotorua has done a great work in our community.
"There's a huge backlash but I don't believe it's right that the Government suddenly threatens removal of charitable status because a church or pastor speaks out on what it believes."
Father Eamon Kennedy of Rotorua's St Mary's and St Michael's parishes said natural disasters had nothing to do with sin.
"It's nature. It's just creation doing what it does."
Readers on the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page were quick to comment.
"Even as a practising Christian I shake my head at this man who supposedly believes in the same God and saviour as me, " one commented.
Bishop Tamaki and Rotorua Destiny Church pastor Rewi Hare could not be reached for comment.