Editing Destiny Church (New Zealand) (section)

==Public profile==
===Political activities===
Richard Lewis, a member of Destiny Church Auckland, formed the [[Destiny New Zealand]] political party in 2003. The party first ran candidates in [[2005 New Zealand general election|2005]].  Candidates from four different churches joined with candidates who came from Destiny Church.  Despite Tamaki's prediction that the church would rule New Zealand by 2008, the party's 42 candidates gained only 0.6 percent of the vote. This fell well short of the five percent threshold required to enter [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]] without an electorate MP but proved the best performance of any party that failed to enter Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=2005 election results by Party |url=http://2005.electionresults.govt.nz/partystatus.html |website=Election Results 2005 |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice (New Zealand)|Ministry of Justice]] |access-date=7 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429020140/http://2005.electionresults.govt.nz/partystatus.html |archive-date=29 April 2007 |date=2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2007, [[City Impact Church New Zealand|City Impact Church]] and Destiny Church collaborated in the establishment of the [[The Family Party|"Family Party"]], but the latter won just 0.35% of the party vote in [[2008 New Zealand general election|New Zealand's 2008 general election]] and dissolved in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/ |title=Home |website=elections.org.nz |access-date=8 August 2022 |archive-date=14 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014003258/http://www1.elections.org.nz/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Since the outbreak of the [[Gaza war]] on 7 October 2023, Destiny Church has expressed support for [[Israel]] and opposition to [[Hamas]] and Palestinian solidarity protesters. In November 2023, Tamaki organised pro-Israel counter-protests in [[Brisbane]] including an "Anzacs" rally where 200 Destiny supporters performed a [[haka]] and controversial Jewish activist [[Avi Yemini]] gave a speech.<ref name="The Guardian 18 Nov 2023" /> In December 2023 and March 2024, Destiny Church staged pro-Israel counter-protests in Wellington.<ref name="RNZ 7 Dec 2024" /><ref name="NZH 26 Mar 2024" />

===Māori community===
Destiny Church recognises and celebrates Māori as [[tangata whenua]] ("People of the Land"). It also regards itself as an "iwi-[[Tapu (Polynesian culture)|tapu]]" or a spiritual tribe of God's people set aside as a chosen people and a holy nation, citing a scriptural premise from 1 Peter 2:9. In 2008, Destiny Church sought to claim [[urban Māori]] status so that they could serve Māori congregants who were disconnected from their tribes. Māori broadcaster and urban Māori advocate [[Willie Jackson (politician)|Willie Jackson]] supported Destiny's proposal by arguing that Tamaki and Destiny Church had changed the lives of thousands of former Māori criminals, fraudsters, and drug dealers for the better. Destiny's socially conservative position on gay rights and women drew opposition from various sectors including Prime Minister [[Helen Clark]].{{Sfn|Haami|2018|pp=187–188}} In October 2008, Destiny Church was awarded Urban Māori Authority status and [[Te Rūnanga a Iwi o Te Oranga Ake]] was incorporated to serve as the church's service provider arm. In 2011, Destiny Church received funding from the [[Ministry of Social Development (New Zealand)|Ministry of Social Development]] for four Community Max programmes to help 79 youths in Auckland, [[Waikato]], and the [[Bay of Plenty]] transition into full-time employment. However, Destiny Church struggled to receive government funding for other projects including a charter school. As a result, the Church has had to fund its own community services programme including the "Man Up" programme to help men become better fathers, husbands, and leaders in their own families and communities.{{Sfn|Haami|2018|p=188}}

===ManUp and legacy===
Caine and Jamie Warren, elders of Destiny Church, founded "Man Up" in 2015. It offers a programme developed by Bishop Brian and Pastor Hannah Tamaki. The programme claims success in reducing the over-representation of Maori men in every negative statistic in New Zealand and in restoring the ''[[Mana (Oceanian mythology)|mana]]'' of men who have lost their sense of identity and purpose.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} Anecdotal evidence tells of changed individuals.<ref>{{cite news |last1= Tipene-Allen |first1= Rukuwai |title= Man Up working with fathers to change families |url= https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/politics/man-working-fathers-change-families |accessdate= 21 March 2019 |publisher=[[Whakaata Māori]] |date= 16 August 2018 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20190131094536/https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/politics/man-working-fathers-change-families |archivedate= 31 January 2019 | quote = Former Mongrel Mob member Toko Koopu says the Man Up programme, which strengthens men to become better fathers, husbands, and leaders in the home and community has not only changed him but given him a chance to improve other's lives.}}</ref> ManUp Director Caine Warren told TVNZ that all men are welcome.<ref>{{cite news |title= Director of Destiny Church's Man Up programme says all are welcome, as fight launches for prison access |url= https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/director-destiny-church-s-man-up-programme-says-all-welcome-fight-launches-prison-access |accessdate= 21 March 2019 |publisher=[[1News]] |date =6 December 2018 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20190321225543/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/director-destiny-church-s-man-up-programme-says-all-welcome-fight-launches-prison-access?variant=tb_v_1 |archivedate= 21 March 2019}}</ref> ManUp involves everyday men from all walks of life meeting in small groups once a week throughout a 15-week time-commitment.<ref>{{cite web |title= Man Up homepage |url= https://www.manup.org.nz/about-us |publisher= Man Up: Tu Tangata |accessdate= 30 April 2019 |quote= Man Up is a 15-week program that helps identify, expose and understand core root issues of why men experience dysfunctions. |archive-date= 30 April 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190430052008/https://www.manup.org.nz/about-us |url-status= live }}</ref> Alongside ManUp, Destiny Church offers similar groups and programmes developed to support, empower and encourage woman (Legacy)<ref>{{cite web |title= Legacy New Zealand |url= https://www.facebook.com/LegacySisterhoodNZ/ |publisher=Facebook |accessdate= 21 March 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190321225826/https://www.facebook.com/LegacySisterhoodNZ/|archive-date= 21 March 2019}}</ref> and youth (Boys2Men, Legacy Diamonds).<ref>{{cite web |title= Boyz II Men |url= https://www.manup.org.nz/boyz-ii-men |publisher=Man Up: Tu Tangata |accessdate= 21 March 2019 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20190131093506/https://www.manup.org.nz/boyz-ii-men |archivedate= 31 January 2019}}</ref> In February 2019 Tamaki met with [[Minister of Justice (New Zealand)|Minister of Justice]] [[Andrew Little (New Zealand politician)|Andrew Little]] to discuss giving Destiny Church's Man Up programme permission to participate in prison rehabilitation. Tamaki has also sought access to government grants for rehabilitation programs and access to prisoners. In a media interview, Little stated that he did not anticipate Man Up indoctrinating more followers into the church, just as (for example) the [[Salvation Army]] and the [[Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand|Presbyterian Church]] do not.<ref>
{{cite news
 |last1= O'Brien |first1= Tova
 |title= Exclusive: Brian Tamaki meets with Andrew Little to discuss giving Destiny Church funding, access to prisons
 |url= https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/02/exclusive-brian-tamaki-meets-with-andrew-little-to-discuss-giving-destiny-church-funding-access-to-prisons.html
 |accessdate= 21 March 2019 |publisher=[[Newshub]] |date= 6 February 2019
 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20190206122643/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/02/exclusive-brian-tamaki-meets-with-andrew-little-to-discuss-giving-destiny-church-funding-access-to-prisons.html
 |archivedate= 6 February 2019
 |quote = When Newshub asked if the programme could be used to indoctrinate more followers into the church, Minister Little said he didn't think so.<br /> "I don't see the Salvation Army or Presbyterian Support Services or any of the other faith-based organisations doing that."
}}
</ref> Tamaki clashed with the New Zealand Government in April 2019 over introducing Man Up into prisons, threatening "inmate revolts in every prison" and suggesting that ministers had subjected him to "a political gang rape". [[Minister of Corrections (New Zealand)|Corrections Minister]] [[Kelvin Davis (politician)|Kelvin Davis]] stated that no "independent reputable evidence" endorsed the Man Up programme and that Tamaki had not applied and gone "through a process to get a programme into prisons".<ref>{{cite news
 |title        = Brian Tamaki says tweet threatening violence in prisons 'not serious'
 |url          = https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/388066/brian-tamaki-says-tweet-threatening-violence-in-prisons-not-serious
 |department   = New Zealand / Politics
 |publisher    = Radio New Zealand
 |date         = 30 April 2019
 |access-date  = 30 Apr 2019
 |quote        = It's necessary to apply and go through a process to get a programme into prisons, which Mr Tamaki had not done, Mr Davis said. However, now that Mr Tamaki has talked about organising revolts in prisons, Mr Davis said there would be no point in him applying.
 |archive-date = 30 April 2019
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20190430050106/https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/388066/brian-tamaki-says-tweet-threatening-violence-in-prisons-not-serious
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>

===Media coverage===
In late April 2025, Destiny Church and its leader Brian Tamaki were the subject of a five-part [[TVNZ]] mini-series called ''Under His Command'' hosted by broadcaster [[John Campbell (broadcaster)|John Campbell]]. The series interviewed 22 former and current Destiny Church members, who alleged that the church's Man-Up programme condoned violence and misogyny. The documentary also alleged that Tamaki utilised rage against the gay, transgender communities and immigrants as a marketing tool.<ref>{{cite news |title=John Campbell on Destiny Church: 'I've never encountered so much fear |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/24/john-campbell-on-destiny-church-ive-never-encountered-so-much-fear/ |access-date=26 April 2025 |work=[[1News]] |publisher=[[TVNZ]] |date=24 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424195734/https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/04/24/john-campbell-on-destiny-church-ive-never-encountered-so-much-fear/ |archive-date=24 April 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> Following reports that a Destiny whistleblower's face was too visible during a [[1News]] 6pm news bulletin covering the documentary series, [[TVNZ]] removed the Destiny story from its website, citing an "abundance of caution."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lyth |first1=Jaime |title=TVNZ viewers claim anonymous Destiny Church whistleblower's face 'visible', TVNZ cuts clip out of 'abundance of caution' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tvnz-viewers-claim-anonymous-destiny-church-whistleblowers-face-visible-broadcaster-cuts-clip-out-of-abundance-of-caution/BFPTXAP7QJAMPPOXV5TEX2OIVM/ |access-date=26 April 2025 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=26 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425101542/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tvnz-viewers-claim-anonymous-destiny-church-whistleblowers-face-visible-broadcaster-cuts-clip-out-of-abundance-of-caution/BFPTXAP7QJAMPPOXV5TEX2OIVM/ |archive-date=25 April 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>