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Destiny’s Brian Tamaki criticized the government’s decision to continue the ban on large gatherings and promised to hold a service at its South Auckland base on Sunday.
In a statement to the media, Tamaki criticized the decision to restrict the meeting to a maximum of 10 people as “Nanny Status” and said that our politicians were acting as “overly controlling parents”.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday that the meetings would be limited to 10 people, including for weddings or funerals. That 10 person limit will be reviewed in two weeks.
She said a limit of 10 people was “considered” in light of the difficulties people have had with funerals and tangi, but it was a balanced decision, considering safety.
That means that most religious services still cannot go on.
In the statement, Tamaki described the decision as a violation of rights.
“A church can act as responsibly as a cinema when it comes to health precautions and physical distancing,” said Tamaki.
“Our rights as churches under the New Zealand Bill of Rights are being violated, particularly section 15 regarding the freedom to manifest religion or belief in worship, the practice of observance, and public or private teaching.
“In the Bill of Rights, the government must act fairly when making decisions about religious groups, and it does not do so by allowing companies to have more than 10 people on their premises, but not churches,” he added.
“This will not come as a surprise to this government. They know they are violating our rights.”
Tamaki stated in his statement that the Government was against the advice of Dr. Ashley Bloomfield.
“We know that on several occasions now, the Cabinet has ignored Bloomfield’s advice and, in its infinite and omniscient wisdom, made its own decisions about the Nanny Status.”
“New Zealand appears to have excessive parental control as politicians, compared to other countries.”
Tamaki promised to host a Destiny service this Sunday, saying he would invite his entire congregation to get tested beforehand.
He also urged other churches to join him, saying: “I invite all churches in New Zealand to act in accordance with their rights. [see the NZ Bill of Rights] and do not allow this government to treat us as non-essential or as an after thought at the bottom of the pile.
“Let’s defend our freedoms together!”
