Tau Henare describes Destiny prayer as "freaky"

Tau Henare was among four Maori MPs invited to speak at the Destiny Church's annual conference in Auckland on Saturday. Photo / supplied

National MP Tau Henare says he expected steam to rise up when Destiny Church members laid their hands on his shoulders in prayer during the weekend.

The outspoken politician was among four Maori MPs invited to speak at the church's annual conference in Auckland on Saturday.

Mr Henare today said it was "freaky" when churchgoers laid on their hands in prayer during the conference.

"I expected steam to come off," he joked to reporters.

"It felt weird, but it was cool being there. Look, the people are a lovely bunch of people, they honestly are."

Asked if the laying on of hands was weird in a good or bad way, Mr Henare said: "I don't know, weird is weird ... freaky"

Also taking part in the ritual were Labour MP Shane Jones, Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples and Mana Party leader Hone Harawira.

Destiny Church has attracted criticism in the past over its controversial stance on homosexuality and claims from former churchgoers that it is a money-making venture.

Mr Henare today said his attendance was not about agreeing with the church's policies.

"It's about being asked to front because we're a political party and we did, just like any other political party did, and gave a speech," he said.

"Look it's election year, and the parties were asked to go along. What would it look like if we said no to everybody?"

Asked if he disagreed the church's hard-line stance on homosexuality, Mr Henare said that was its doctrine and not his.

"At the end of the day these people, these so-called demons, they save a lot of people. They turn around a lot of people, and I congratulate them for that," he said.

Prime Minister John Key said it made sense for National to be at the conference given Destiny was not fielding a political wing at the upcoming election.

Mr Key said he expected his MPs to "be everywhere" heading into the election, including talking to church groups.

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki indicated the church would make a decision on which party to support at the election.

Mr Key today said he had met Mr Tamaki informally in the past but would not be lobbying for the church's votes.

"I don't think we're intentionally going to specifically talk to him and in the end he'll make a decision what he thinks is best."

Mr Key said he thought National's policies were more aligned with the church's beliefs than Labour's.

Asked about Mr Jones' attendance at the conference, Labour deputy leader Annette King said MPs were allowed to go most places.

"I haven't really got a comment to make whether he went to Destiny Church, Catholic church, to Presbyterian church or no church."

She had no comment about Destiny Church's views.

- NZPA