Editing Destiny Church (New Zealand) (section)

===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}}