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New Zealand|Crime

Covid-19 Delta variant: Brian Tamaki in court again, following second protest

3 minutes to read
Watch: Destiny Church founder Brian Tamaki appeared in court for the second time in just over a week - this time in police custody and facing a fresh charge of violating a Covid-19 lockdown order by attending another lockdown protest. Video / Chris Tarpey / Hayden Woodward

Watch: Destiny Church founder Brian Tamaki appeared in court for the second time in just over a week - this time in police custody and facing a fresh charge of violating a Covid-19 lockdown order by attending another lockdown protest. Video / Chris Tarpey / Hayden Woodward

By
Craig Kapitan

Senior Multimedia Journalist, NZ Herald

Destiny Church founder Brian Tamaki appeared in court on Wednesday for the second time in just over a week - this time in police custody and facing a fresh charge of violating a Covid-19 lockdown order by attending another lockdown protest.

But after a stern warning from the judge, he was ordered released again on the same bail conditions he is also accused of having violated.

Auckland District Court Judge Josephine Bouchier addressed Tamaki via an audio-video feed while he sat in a holding cell. Through his lawyer, he pleaded not guilty to the new charge.

Around the same time, a crowd that included wife Hannah Tamaki gathered outside the police station where he was being held, chanting, "Free Tamaki".

During his court appearance last week, for attending and helping organise an October 2 protest at Auckland Domain, Tamaki was allowed to remain free on bail on several conditions.

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki sits in a holding cell while attending his latest hearing via audio-video feed. Photo / NZME
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki sits in a holding cell while attending his latest hearing via audio-video feed. Photo / NZME

One condition was that he not "organise or attend any protests in breach of any Covid-19 level requirement", while another was that he not "use the internet for the purpose of organising, attending or encouraging non-compliance with the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act 2020".

Tamaki and lawyer Ron Mansfield QC agreed to the conditions.

But just hours later Tamaki issued a public statement promoting a follow-up protest at Auckland Domain on October 16 - coinciding with the Government's "Super Saturday" vaccination push. He didn't plan to organise that protest but would attend a picnic with his family at the same location, he said.

Brian Tamaki attends the Covid-19 lockdown and vaccination protest at Auckland Domain on October 16. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Brian Tamaki attends the Covid-19 lockdown and vaccination protest at Auckland Domain on October 16. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Tamaki, 63, spoke at the Saturday protest but maintains he wasn't an organiser.

He is pro-choice, not anti-vax, he has also repeatedly said, contending that he was careful to stay socially distanced from those outside his bubble at both gatherings. In a social media post yesterday, Tamaki said he knew it could mean "prison time" if he wasn't stringent about social distancing.

If convicted of either of the protest charges, Tamaki could face up to six months' jail and a $4000 fine.

Earlier this morning, Tamaki and wife Hannah Tamaki posted a video on social media explaining that they were headed to a police station so that police could "have another bite of the cherry".

Brian Tamaki at the Covid-19 lockdown and vaccination protest at Auckland Domain on Saturday. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Brian Tamaki at the Covid-19 lockdown and vaccination protest at Auckland Domain on Saturday. Photo / Brett Phibbs

He also said he was standing for "what we believe is our democracy".

Wife Hannah said this could be their last big battle for the Lord. "Somebody has got to be prepared to be a voice and an option for freedom to choose."

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