Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki is trying again to stop the traffic over the Auckland Harbour Bridge - and has lodged his application with authorities for a protest in January.
Tamaki had wanted to lead his supporters over the bridge last month in what he had dubbed the “March for New Zealand” - with immigration policy as a focal point.
That march never got off the ground; Tamaki claimed he decided not to go ahead with it, while NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said it had refused permission.
NZTA said organisers hadn’t provided the “information on how their event would meet the required criteria to access the state highway corridor”. Police confirmed the same.
NZTA has confirmed it received a new application on Monday.
“NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi [NZTA] received a Traffic Management Plan from The Freedom and Rights Coalition [on] the 24th November, and will be reviewing the application to ensure that it meets all the requirements set out on the website,” a spokesperson said.
Tamaki’s new protest will be a “Bridge to Better” march with Christian values, he said, protesting against immigration, politicians whose morals he disagrees with, and the under-fire police hierarchy.
His application seeks permission to march on January 31, 2026 - a week after politicians have travelled to Rātana, the unofficial start of the New Zealand political year, and a week before iwi leaders and political parties head to Waitangi.
“The application was sent yesterday and NZTA confirmed receipt,” Tamaki told the Herald.
Requests to access the bridge for “special events” requires a formal application to NZTA, including an Early Access Request (EAR) and a risk-based Traffic Management Plan (TMP). It can take more than a fortnight to process.
NZTA approves access to the bridge for special events that meet a strict set of approved criteria. Police have a delegated authority to temporarily close the Auckland Harbour Bridge if required.
Tamaki told the Herald he hopes ordinary Kiwis will join the march.
He hoped protest numbers could match the 30,000 who in 2024 participated in Te Pāti Māori’s Auckland Harbour Bridge walkover protesting David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill. The bill was later voted down in Parliament.
“I believe there will be 20,000-30,000... maybe more,” Tamaki said.
“We have seen a meltdown within Māori, the coalition is in crisis, Māori and European are at each other everywhere and the New Zealand police scandal is draining average New Zealanders.
“We need a major reset in 2026.”
The application seeks permission for a march starting at 9.30am at Onepoto Domain and arriving at Victoria Park by 1pm.
Marchers would be kept to the three left-hand lanes crossing over from the North Shore, exiting at Fanshawe Street towards Victoria Park before being dispersed by 1.30pm.
“The event organiser recognises their responsibility to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of all people directly associated with the event, including members of the public, whether attending the event or not,” the application says.
“We are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone to the best of our abilities. The details as set out in this event-specific Health and Safety Plan meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and other related legislation.”
An NZTA spokesperson said, “NZTA considers a range of factors when approving requests to access the Auckland Harbour Bridge given it is one of the busiest sections of New Zealand’s state highway network. NZTA reserves the right to decline a request. NZTA may also notify the NZ Police of any risk that the organiser’s plans may pose.
“NZTA approves access to the bridge for special events, which must meet a strict set of criteria to be approved. NZ Police has delegated authority to temporarily close the Auckland Harbour Bridge if required.”
Police confirmed last week that they were also in the planning stages.
“Police are aware that a group intends to march over the Auckland Harbour Bridge on 31 January, 2026. Police are in contact with our partner agencies and will continue to work closely with them on any upcoming events.”
The most recent protest over the Auckland Harbour Bridge was a convoy of about 500 vehicles on 22 November, many towing boats in protest of fishing reforms. It did not need the same permission as protesters drove across the bridge.
Joseph Los’e is an award winning journalist and joined NZME in 2022 as Kaupapa Māori Editor. Los’e was a chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News newspaper covering crime, justice and sport. He was also editor of the NZ Truth and prior to joining NZME worked for urban Māori organisation Whānau Waipareira.