Taika Waititi wades into Israel Folau row

Taika Waititi has joined the backlash against rugby star Israel Folau's comments claiming gays will go to hell.

The Wallabies player said a fortnight ago that gay people were going to hell unless they repented for their "sins".

Now actor and director Waititi has waded into the debate, telling Folau to "jaaaardup".

Waititi retweeted All Blacks star TJ Perenara's post which said, "To anyone, young Māori/Pasifika people especially, who may be struggling with their identity - please know that it is ok to be you.

"You are perfect as you are. Do not let these comments keep you from being yourself. Polynesia has been sexually diverse since forever."

Shot TJ. And jaaaardup Israel. https://t.co/GZBARJhgch

— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) April 18, 2018

Waititi's tweet showed support for Perenara, who publicly hit back at Folau's "harmful" comments.

However Destiny Church pastor Brian Tamaki has today defended Folau, while former Mana MP Hone Harawira also defended the rugby star's right to speak.

On Monday night Folau wrote a column explaining his comments, saying he did not mean to hurt anyone but was quoting from the Bible, specifically 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10.

That verse says that "neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor the drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God".

"I believe the Bible is the truth and sometimes the truth can be difficult to hear," he said.

Brian Tamaki's wife Hannah also joined the debate, tweeting the pair have gay family and friends who "know we love them".