Podcast appearances and mentions of Brian Tamaki

Kia ora whānau! In our uncut kōrero with JC on Destiny Church, we talk about: John heading back to Samoa. How Destiny Church started vs where they are now. Is he bias towards the church? If he reached out to Brian Tamaki. What was his objective going into this docuseires investigation? Has the church been good for some people? Shoutouts to an amazing person "Te Ahi" John's docuseries "Under his Command" is now streaming on TVNZ+

There was a priest on the news last night talking about homeless people the cost of buying a house in New Zealand. This priest, who was all dressed up in his garb, then mentioned the fact there were marina berths down at the waterfront bursting at the seams with super yachts. I thought that was such an odd thing to say. I know the church's role is to help the poor. And they do that and I've seen them do that. And that's fantastic. But to then also blame the wealthy for not helping the poor - is that helping? Or is that politics? The church and state have been clashing of late. We saw all those quote 'faith leaders' come out during the Treaty Principles Bill bill debate and give David Seymour a bollocking. What exactly is the end game here? Are they, like the good bishop Brian Tamaki, keen on getting into parliament themselves? The Salvation Army does a report every year looking at the wealth of billionaires. There's a lot of finger pointing and tisk-tisking about those who've accumulated a lot. What about those who've got a lot, but also give a lot? For a good example, we need look no further than the Catholic Church itself. It is one of the largest and wealthiest organisations in the world. The Vatican, because of its small population and huge tithings from working and poor people the world over, is the 18th wealthiest nation in the world per capita. They boast a huge real estate portfolio. The men who run the roost, the cardinals and bishops and what not, are all fed and watered by the women who really run the place, the nuns. It's not a hard life they lead. Is it? It's hardly struggle street. It's hard to work out exactly what it's worth all up. But media reports anywhere between 73 and 250 billion bucks. So more than the combined wealth of all the the billionaires this country's ever known. To be honest - none of this bothers me. I believe everybody should believe in what ever god and afterlife they want to. That's religious freedom. I respect your right to think and pray as you want. But if you're going to preach for the poor and against the wealthy, perhaps getting your own house in order might be a good place to start. Least you come across a tad hypocritical. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've found footage from Brian Tamaki's "sermon" the day after his church members stormed the Te Atatu library where he is explicitly instructing them to "storm the library". We're now wondering how and why he isn't be held to account for inciting violence as some of his church members, who on his instruction, stormed the library are now accused of assaultsSpecialist doctors tasked with protecting public health say the Government is trying to stop them from speaking out.Medical officers of health were called into a meeting on Tuesday and told they need "national level approval" before making public statements. They've described the edict as chilling, but the Health Minister is standing by the orders. Political Reporter Glenn McConnell has moreGrant Duncan writes on the Conversation as to how our prime minister and opposition party leader stack up on the 'Leadership Capital Index'. Spoiler alert: not very well.It's handbags at 30 paces on the 9h floor of the beehive and the Prime Minister has hit back at claims made by an ACT MP that farmers are irate with the National Party over its Paris Agreement climate commitments.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has expressed his enthusiasm for plans to beef up citizens arrest laws. Some Destiny Church supporters are currently being investigated by police after they stormed a children book reading that was part of Pride week celebrations. The government's planned amendments to the crimes act will mean citizens can detain and arrest someone suspected of a variety of crimes including shoplifting and more serious things like child abuse. Barrister Henry Benson-Hope spoke to Lisa Owen.

Well, after a spirited discussion yesterday on the potential changes to the laws around citizen's arrests, the press conference announced the actual changes. They are amending the Crimes Act so that citizens can intervene to stop any crimes act events at any time of the day, requiring that a person making an arrest contact police and follow police instructions. Clarifying that restraint can be used when reasonable when making an arrest and changing the defensive property provisions to the Crimes Act so it's clear that reasonable force may be used. Almost immediately, a wide range of groups and organisations slammed the proposals. The Police Association says the changes are highly risky and could have unintended consequences. Police Association President Chris Cahill told Mike Hosking this morning that the reforms are risky and unnecessary, and says it's not worth getting hurt or even killed for a few bucks or some ciggies. “I mean, look at dairies for instance, they don't have security guards, and they have shopkeepers and family people, and there's going to be an expectation that they do it, especially if they're working for some boss who thinks they should do it. But even security guards, you look at some of these security guards – they're not really highly trained they're not highly equipped. To think of police officers, we've got all the equipment, all the training, still get assaulted every day, some really seriously. So, I don't mean to be the humbug. I get why people think on the face of it, a good idea, but when you peel it back, it's pretty risky stuff.” Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young said member businesses had “grave fears” about the proposals. “The great majority of members we have consulted have made it clear that only police should have powers to detain offenders”, she said. “Most retailers train their staff to prioritise their own safety rather than try to recover stolen goods. We cannot condone retail workers putting themselves into dangerous and volatile situations”. The Employers and Manufacturers Association said business owners were being encouraged to put themselves and their staff in harm's way. They fear it will lead to an escalation in violence – if an offender believes they'll be met with aggression, they'll come prepared. “Far from discouraging thefts or aggression and retail workplaces”, the EMA says, they believe this will result in “swarming behaviour in which a number of offenders will be present to create numerical superiority, those are outcomes no one wants”. Goes without saying that the unions and Labour hate the proposals. To me, what is really alarming is the group that LOVES the idea of beefed up powers for citizens. Do you know who LOVES the idea? Destiny Church. Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki says he's “excited” to receive “increased powers to police, where law and order has failed”. If Tamaki wants something, I don't. The idea of his boofheads going around deciding what's right and what's wrong and who's a criminal who's not gives me the heebies. But the thing that gets me is, did the government not ask the police, and Retail NZ, and the EMA whether they wanted to increase the powers of citizen's arrest? Call me naive, and in fact you did yesterday, and in fact I accept that I was, but I would have thought that before you set up a working group, that the working group was as a result of Retail NZ, and the EMA, and the police, and the dairy owners saying we really need to do something about these citizen's arrest powers? We really need to beef them up. I would have thought that it would have the support of Retail NZ and the EMA and all these pivotal groups that are actually involved at the coal face. If they say no, no thanks very much, leave it to the police, and the police say no, no, we're highly trained and we still get hurt, imagine what can happen to people who don't have the training and don't have the equipment, who did they ask before they set this up? Who wants this apart from Destiny Church? Which really, as I say, puts the heebies up me.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More calls for Destiny Church to be struck off the charities list and lose their tax deductibility status; but as the conversation around charity status goes on, questions are being raised on whether other organisations should lose their status. Sanitarium is just one of the giants that are tax exempt in New Zealand, and with more than 28,000 registered charities with an annual income of over $21 billion, a change would bring the country an influx of cash. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last weekend Destiny Church was directed by their leader, Brian Tamaki, to undertake terrorism. They duly complied, storming a library to attack a children's story event, injuring at least one person and forcing children and caregivers to barricade themselves in a room. We discuss the conditions that led to this and the need for a strong, ongoing response in the face of a political and media climate that, at best, isn't interested.https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/02/19/destiny-church-appeasement-doesnt-work-time-to-bring-them-to-heel/This episode's co-hostsKyle, AngelaTimestamps0:00 Introductions1:15 Destiny Church14:31 Giving Space to Negative Discourse 21:05 Protesting28:15 Day of Power41:00 The ACT Party45:06 Gay Bashing47:53 Predictions56:32 ClosingsIntro/Outro by The Prophet MotiveSupport us here: https://www.patreon.com/1of200

This week the Gals discuss child poverty, the outcome of the Manurewa Marae inquiry, tourism and immigration and a raft of potential new laws.   Esther has an idea for the Government's clearance sale, Brigitte praises Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Georgie has some words for Brian Tamaki.   Yass Queen to our Parliamentary Service and Office of the Clerk and Beehave Mate to a mansplaining MP who needs to get out of our vaginas.

There's renewed calls to evaluate Destiny Church's charitable status and tax treatment after their actions last weekend. Followers of Destiny Church - the religious movement spearheaded by Hannah and Brian Tamaki - stormed an Auckland library on Saturday to protest a drag king reading to children. Followers of the church then disrupted Auckland's rainbow parade - actions Auckland's mayor calls thuggery. Prime Minister Chris Luxon says they intimidated public officials - and the Government will be investigating their status, and tax treatment in due course. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Destiny Church acted disgracefully, and a review needs to take place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I saw Brian Tamaki on the news last night, he looked more pompous than ever. Pompous - not pious. Because he was the one who instructed his so-called followers to disrupt that drag artist's kids show and protest at the Auckland Rainbow Parade at the weekend. From the pictures I've seen, both of those events looked pretty ugly. His idea. Under his instructions. And I've had a gutsful of this guy. And we need to be condemning him in the strongest way possible. Because, it seems that's all we can do. Sadly. They were doing a particularly vigourous haka at the end of the parade. That wasn't free speech. That was hate. I saw one person saying on the news that Tamaki's Man Up crew is nothing more than a gang and should be treated that way. This person made particular mention of the gang patch legislation - saying that these guys ride around on motorbikes wearing patches, So why aren't they included in the gang patch ban? The organiser of the rainbow parade says there is a difference between freedom of speech and hate speech - and what we saw at the weekend was hate. And I completely agree. The parade organiser says it was clear that they had set-out to intimidate, to bully, and get their message of misinformation across. I agree they wanted to intimidate. And I agree they were a bunch of bullies. But I don't know about the misinformation bit, because you never get any information from these clowns (misinformation or otherwise). And, as per usual, we had weasel words from the Prime Minister when he was asked about it yesterday. He said he respects peoples right to free speech and he respects people's right to protest, but he said Tamaki's puppets “went too far”. You're damn right they went too far. Even by turning up, they went too far. What the PM should have done yesterday was condemn Brian Tamaki and his deluded followers in the strongest way possible. He should have done what Auckland mayor Wayne Brown did. He said it was nothing short of “thuggery”. Which is a great way to describe it. I thought Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick was a bit light on it when she said that the rainbow community needs love and support, not hateful rhetoric. I know what she's saying, but I want her to condemn these people too. Because, for me, this wasn't free speech - it was hate speech. And remember that this kind of thing isn't new for this Destiny lot. You'll remember they got all excited about an event at the library in christchurch that time when there was an event with people in drag reading stories to kids. And there's no stopping them. Last night Tamaki was saying that he doesn't think they've gone far enough yet. And he challenged the Prime Minister to get show some fortitude and to do a Donald Trump, and declare that only two genders will be recognised in New Zealand. Male and female. So these guys are dangerous. Not because of their mickey mouse beliefs, but because of the way they express them. If someone doesn't like the idea of same sex people being in relationships - they're allowed to feel that way. If someone thinks we should go back to the way it used to be, with just boys and girls and men and women, they can think that too. Good luck to them. But when people take it to the next level - like we saw at the weekend - that's not ok by me. I tell you what else isn't ok. The fact that this outfit is out there bullying people - dishing out their hatred - and because they call themselves a church, they enjoy all the tax benefits that come with that. A few years back, some Destiny Church charities were removed from the charities register for not filing their annual tax returns. Before that happened, more than 70,000 people signed a petition calling for Charities Services to strip the church of its tax-exempt status. I've had a look at the register today and the Destiny Church New Zealand Trust is still there. There are still some regional branches registered as a charity too. Which is a rort. And, until the government delivers on its promise to crackdown on so-called “charities” not paying tax, we just have to accept that it is what it is. But that doesn't mean we have to sit back and let these people do what they want. We can't make them pay tax. We can't tell them to take their patches off - because they're not a gang. But we can stand up and tell them to pull their heads in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well after a wonderful weekend, a fabulous weekend, the incidents on Saturday afternoon and Saturday night were really disappointing. Increasingly, New Zealand is starting to feel like 1970's New Zealand, but without the good bits. We've got the racism, we've got the homophobia, but we don't have the housing affordability and the excellent education system. It's the 70s gone wrong. What is it with some people? Do we have to fight the good fight every single generation? A group of smug, righteous, deluded members of Destiny Church, led by that oleaginous, self-aggrandising, self appointed bishop Tamaki, pushed, shoved, and punched their way inside the Te Atatu Community Centre where a drag artist was hosting a child's science show. Nobody had been forced to take their children to the drag queen's science show. Classrooms weren't herded up and put on buses and made to go. This was a free choice made by parents who knew their children would enjoy seeing a Unicorn on two feet. Which is what drag artists look like. The children were not frightened by sequins and rainbows and colour, but they would have been terrified by thugs and yelling, shoving and crashing their way into the building. About 30 toddlers, young children and their parents sought refuge within the community centre by barricading themselves inside. Hours later, the same group broke through police barricades at the Auckland Rainbow Parade. There they made a complete nuisance of themselves and held up the parade with a haka. Destiny Church are perfectly free to protest. If they want to ignore the teachings of the New Testament, as I understand them - we all have our different readings of the Bible – but as I understand it, if Tamaki wants to instruct his followers to follow some interpretive dance version of the fire and brimstone Old Testament according to Tamaki, they want to hold up their signs and chant their slogans, fill your jackboots, do what you will. Everyone has the right to protest peacefully but storming into a community library, imposing their own version of how to live on others. No. Tamaki said there may have been some pushing and shoving, but that he would smack anyone who was trying to pervert his child in a room. Oh really? I wasn't going to go there, but seeing as Tamaki has, you'll have probably seen the posting that's been doing the rounds for some time now, the post that shows a chart: Two different groups have been convicted of sexually abusing children in New Zealand between 1990 and 2022. Drag Queens on one side, church leaders and members on the other. Number of drag Queens have been convicted of the sexual abuse of children over 32 years. None. Not one. Number of church members have been convicted of the sexual abuse of children over 32 years. 22. That is the tip of the iceberg. So yeah, when it comes to perversion, Tamaki might want to have a long look at the history of church groups over the past few years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's high expectations for a lawyer's tactics in defending Brian and Hannah Tamaki. The pair are facing court over organising protests in Auckland during Covid-19 lockdowns. Brian Tamaki faces four counts of breaching the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act, with possible penalties of up to six months in prison and thousands in fines. Lawyer Steve Cullen says it'll be interesting to see what arguments are mustered by experienced defender, Ron Mansfield. He says Mansfield could argue the case under freedom of assembly or freedom of religion provisions in the Bill of Rights Act. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sunita Torrance has had the papers suing Brian Tamaki delivered to him in a video where he seems to admit to the reason Sunita is suing him...because he closed her business down. Sunita joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk over where the case is at. ==================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

*** Apologies for the late drop, Spotify had an issue with uploading last night *** Kieran McAnulty joins us to talk about the NActNZ Government's attack on Māori by attempting to eliminate Māori Wards in a pre-recorded interview. Sunita Torrance has had the papers suing Brian Tamaki delivered to him in a video where he seems to admit to the reason Sunita is suing him...because he closed her business down. Sunita joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk over where the case is at. Christopher Luxon appeared on Breakfast this morning talking up National's tax cuts and pledging to give his 20 a week to charity ==================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Brian Tamaki and his Destiny Church are being sued for defamation by two drag performers in the High Court in Auckland. Haus of Flash are suing the group for just over $2 million, after numerous alleged attacks by the church on their Rainbow Storytime drag-queen events. Sunita Torrance, aka CoCo Flash and owner of Haus of Flash,, joined us to talk about the legal action ==================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Nicola Willis is being applauded on social media for firing back at controversial church leader Brian Tamaki after he launched a homophobic attack at her. On Twitter, the Destiny Church patriarch lashed out at the Minister of Finance for "rainbow spending" and took issue with her being a follower of drag king Willy SmacknTush on Instagram. ==================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

In an exclusive interview with John Campbell, former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman says being caught shoplifting is the shame she'll never get over. Drag performers have filed a $2 million defamation action against Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki after protests against their library Storytime events. Sunita Torrance and Daniel Lockett, known by their performing names, Coco and Erika Flash, filed the claim at the High Court in Auckland this morning. The legal claims against Destiny Church include allegations of breach of contract, conspiracy to injure and unlawful means conspiracy, and defamation. Christopher Luxon was on RNZ this week getting pissy with Corin Dan over Pharmac funding ==================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Ani O'Brien, whoever Seeby Woodhouse is, and Damian Grant had some god awful takes on a variety of topics including borrowing for tax cuts, boot camps and more Voters appear to be unconvinced by how Christopher Luxon is handling the job of prime minister, according to the new 1News Verian poll. Nicola Willis is being applauded on social media for firing back at controversial church leader Brian Tamaki after he launched a homophobic attack at her. On Twitter, the Destiny Church patriarch lashed out at the Minister of Finance for "rainbow spending" and took issue with her being a follower of drag king Willy SmacknTush on Instagram. ==================================== Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ

Wellington editor Joel MacManus appreciates that those we might not agree with can still make for an interesting and worthy story. Last weekend, he attended an anti-trans conference to hear speakers like Brian Tamaki, Posie Parker and NZ First MP Tanya Unkovich speak about the “dangers” of gender ideology. Joel's feature was a chance to report on a culture war, rather than react to it, and prompted an intense response from the speakers themselves. Joel joins Madeleine Chapman on Behind the Story to talk about reporting in hostile environments and how to deal with feedback when it becomes abusive and personal. For The Spinoff editor's thoughts on the week that was, as well as a handpicked collection of the week's best reads, subscribe to The Weekend with Madeleine Chapman newsletter at thespinoff.co.nz/newsletters

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Is the escalating conflict in the Middle East something we should be worried about? Iran sent a barrage of drones and missiles to Israel this weekend- should this be a bigger point of concern? The Government has announced changes to tenancy laws, including pet bonds and making tenants liable for all pet damage above fair wear and tear. Will these make a difference for tenants - or landlords? Brian Tamaki has come out in defence of a Destiny Church member who vandalised Auckland's K Road rainbow crossing. He's been slapped with a $16,000 fine- was this the right call? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turns out, the person who painted over the rainbow crossing on Auckland's K road 3 weeks ago is related to Brian Tamaki by marriage - what a surprise. He is married to Brian Tamaki's granddaughter and is the father of, I think four, of Tamaki's great-grand kids. The reason I'm not surprised is - of course Destiny Church was doing this with the rainbow crossings in Gisborne earlier. Anyway, today he appeared in court and pleaded guilty - and was convicted, discharged and fined $16,000. Now as far as I can tell,  this is the toughest sentence given in recent times to a protestor who caused damage, but is it really tough? A $16,000 fine sounds a lot, until you hear they're not particularly worried about the fine because already a supporter has pledged $5,000 to help out. And sure, a criminal record sucks - but not that much when your daily life doesn't even break its stride because you're not going to jail or do anything as punishment. I'm going to repeat myself because I've said this before - the courts need to impose sentences that will deter other protestors who damage stuff from doing it as well. And yet, at the moment, that's not what I'm seeing. Remember the climate protestor who sprayed red paint all over the luxury car sales yard in Wellington? She was discharged without conviction, ordered to pay half the water-blasting bills, plus give another $500 to charity -and that was about it. Protest has, particularly in recent years - and particularly led by the climate activists - gone from being peaceful marching and waving of placards and shouting to now including damage of property, kind of as a matter of course. This is a big problem overseas with the climate activists throwing paint at valuable pieces of art on display. And here in New Zealand, it's kind of being imported. We had the spraying of the car yard in Wellington, the spraying of a car yard in Auckland, we had the abseiler deface the Treaty exhibition at Te Papa, we had the Destiny Church guys vandalise the rainbow crossing in Gisborne- and now this.  You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that if you don't adequately punish something, it will be repeated. You just have to be a human to know that because it's human behaviour. Case in point today - Brian Tamaki is proud of what his grandson-in-law did. They don't really care about the fine.  Now tell me if that's going to deter others from, next time they're really angry about something, just damaging some property to prove how angry they are. Probably not, so expect more until we start properly punishing people who deliberately damage other people's stuff in the name of protest. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Tamaki claims the public is on his side on rainbow issues. A member of his Destiny Church has pleaded guilty and been convicted of vandalising Auckland's K Road rainbow crossing. Tamaki claims there's public concern about drag queens reading stories to children in libraries and the state of relationship and sexuality education in schools. He says this was a drastic measure. "When you have a protest action like that, you're not sorry to actually get the attention of the councils." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Destiny Church Protesters have painted over a rainbow crossing on Gisborne's main street. Brian Tamaki has posted in support of their actions on social media. Reporter Ashleigh McCaull spoke to Corin Dann.

A Rainbow Storytime event in Rotorua has been cancelled after threats from Destiny Church's leader Brian Tamaki. Sunita Torrance and Daniel Lockett perform as Coco and Erika in a show which encourages inclusivity and kindness. The event was completely booked out. Rotorua Lakes Council cancelled today's show after what they called "hostile dialogue" and a "rapid spread of misinformation".

Rainbow storytellers, whose Rotorua library event was cancelled after threats from Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, say kids and their parents love their performances. Rotorua Lakes Council cancelled Thursday's show after what they called "hostile dialogue" and a "rapid spread of misinformation". Sunita Torrance and Daniel Lockett perform as Coco and Erika in a show which encourages inclusivity and kindness. But Tamaki is also promising to shut down the pair's future events. Sunita and Daniel spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Wellingtonians can breathe a sigh of relief after a protest involving hundreds of people mirroring last years anti mandate occupation remained peaceful. The protest organised by Brian Tamaki's Freedom and Rights Coalition rallied over a range of different views including vaccines, co-governance and transgender rights. Our reporter Ashleigh McCaull and cameraman Angus Dreaver were there.

Police have been keeping watch overnight for any sign of protesters at Parliament after Thursday's anti-government march. Around 2,000 people descended on the Capital in a demonstration organised by Brian Tamaki's Freedoms and Rights Coalition. Krystal Gibbens reports.

The Wellington protest has wrapped up peacefully. Around 2000 people marched from Civic Square to Parliament today as part of Brian Tamaki's Freedom and Rights Coalition demonstration. Police say 100 officers were on duty, with no reported issues. Roads around Parliament had been shut off due to the protest, with office workers warned to work from home today. Tamaki says the police and media overreacted. "I always said that it was going to be peaceful and respectful to these people in Wellington's central business district- and it was." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Luxon and Hipkins went head to head in their second leaders debate last night - who do you think won? Do you think debates convince any voters or are they for entertainment only? Winston Peters is gaining momentum in the polls- will National need to rely on the extra boost from NZ First? Protesters flooded Parliament grounds today to protest a bunch of Brian Tamaki affiliated issues. Police were geared up for a big event and closed loads of roads around the place and workers were told to stay home. The protest was a peaceful event - so did the police overreact? E-scooters are here to stay after Waka Kotahi gave them the green light for 5 more years- is this a good idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police in Wellington are warning people to expect significant disruptions on Thursday with protestors descending on the capital. The Freedoms and Rights Coalition is leading the protest, unhappy about what they call a transgender agenda, race-based politics, global control, and what they call a climate change scam. Freedom's New Zealand leader, and Destiny Church founder, Brian Tamaki, is leading the protest. Tamaki spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Parliament staff have been told to work from home on Thursday as protestors plan to march from Civic Square. The protest is being led by Brian Tamaki's Freedom and Rights Coalition. Some roads around Parliament are closed. Reporter Bill Hickman spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Wellington businesses are hoping that today's planned protest events blow over fast.  Police numbers have been boosted, with officers redeployed in the capital ahead of planned protest action today.  Brian Tamaki's Freedoms and Rights Coalition is one of several groups demonstrating.  A number of roads near Parliament are blocked off and some public servants are being urged to stay home.  Hoff Hospitality Group Director Matt McLaughlin told Mike Hosking that he hopes it's low-key and demonstrators all go home after.  He says Wellington is stalled, its pre-election, and trade's slow at this time of year so this is the last thing they need.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington business owner is incredibly frustrated over police precautions ahead of a planned protest.Brian Tamaki's Freedoms and Rights Coalition plans action tomorrow, alongside other protests in coming days. Police have shut some roads and access ways to Parliament. Backbencher pub owner Alistair Boyce says it's unnecessary. "They are not a foreign power invading the country- this Parliamentary precinct, at the moment, looks like we're protecting ourselves against tanks and an invading army." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The election campaign is truly under way, as Labour and National kick off their appeals to voters while dealing with protests that are fast becoming a theme of this year's race to form the next government.  Both of New Zealand's major parties held their campaign launches in Auckland over the weekend, and the two leaders did their best to point out their opponent's flaws and expose holes in each other's policies.  Labour on Saturday unveiled its plan to provide free dental care for under-30s, starting in mid-2025, while National opted not to add to the 37 policies it has already announced - instead revealing a pledge card detailing the party's eight main commitments if elected.  Both parties were forced to deal with protesters from the Brian Tamaki-led Freedoms NZ party. Hipkins copped it the most as his speech was interrupted at least four times by people who had made it into the Aotea Centre, despite the launch being a ticketed event.  Protesters had also blocked the stairs of the venue, making it hard for Labour supporters to get through, and on Sunday, Hipkins was shouted at by the former owner of the New Lynn Lone Star cafe, which shut down during the pandemic.  Covid response critic Brendon Pascoe seeks to rebuke Labour's leader, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, at the Avondale markets. Photo / Alex Burton  Luxon's speech was not disrupted, but Tamaki himself appeared alongside about 100 protesters outside the Due Drop Events Centre in Wiri to call on the National leader to be more upfront about his Christian values.  While selling their party's vision for New Zealand was central to both leaders' speeches, attacking the other side was a strong theme in both campaign launches.  Hipkins on Saturday continued his criticism of National's tax plan, calling it a “tax swindle” and “sneaky”, and questioned the costings, saying it had overstated the revenue it would get from a foreign buyers' tax and online gambling tax. He also hit out at National for using climate funding to pay for tax cuts instead.  Hipkins also pitched his own leadership style against Luxon's, saying he believed people should be treated with dignity for who they were.  “I don't see that on the other side. I see people who want to win the election whatever it takes - and bugger the cost.”  On Sunday, Hipkins deemed National's costings were “fantasy-land stuff” and believed Kiwis would be smart enough to see through the tax cut promise and consider the entire package.  Labour's leader, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, meeting with people at the Avondale markets on Sunday morning. Photo / Alex Burton  Luxon employed a similar tactic, warning the more than 1000-strong audience “power doesn't concede easily” and National would be contesting Labour's campaign, which he claimed was based on “fear and disinformation”.  “Hang on, help is coming” was a phrase Luxon repeated on several occasions when referencing different groups of people he felt were suffering through higher interest rates, rising violent youth crime, increased farming regulations and higher grocery prices.  Luxon echoed a phrase often used by Hipkins, which was that he believed Kiwis who worked hard should be able to prosper.  While Hipkins was supported by former Labour PM Helen Clark, National deputy leader Nicola Willis and Luxon's two children were tasked with warming up the crowd on Sunday.  Willis asked supporters how Kiwis had benefited from Labour's increased spending in Government, while also issuing a warning of how Labour would campaign.  “Labour loves tax like a shark loves blood... and it's time for National to sort it out,” she said.  “At this election, there will be some who seek to appeal to the worst in us, to fear, to envy, to spite. Well, we say no to that. We want leadership that appeals to the best in us.”  Luxon's children, William and Olivia, spoke briefly about their father and said he was the same in public as he was at home.  National leader Christopher Luxon at his party's campaign launch in Auckland. Photo / Alex Burton  Both redheads, they joked that they didn't inherit their ginger genes from their father, who was blond prior to his current shaven state.  Speaking to media after the launch, Luxon was challenged on his proposed tax on foreign buyers of homes over $2m, which had been criticised by economists and Labour for unrealistic costings and potentially compromising tax agreements with other countries.  Luxon claimed National had received independent legal advice about how the tax could work alongside existing tax treaties, but was not clear on whether he would release it.  “We are very comfortable in our numbers.”  In response to Labour's dental policy, Luxon said he would love to offer cheaper dental care, but there were more pressing priorities he wanted to address first.  Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald press gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for NZME since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the NZ Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon had his media conference derailed by a heckler from the Freedoms New Zealand party this afternoon. The man was hanging over a fence behind where Mr Luxon was due to speak to gathered media. Christopher Luxon then moved his media conference inside. Once inside, Christopher Luxon told reporters he does spend time with New Zealanders from all backgrounds. Labour leader Chris Hipkins had a visit to Otara market derailed by members of the same party, which is led by Brian Tamaki and Sue Grey. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6335696160112

Brian Tamaki couldn't get on TV last weekend to announce the launch of a new umbrella movement to contest the next election. But other political leaders had better luck recently week getting a media platform to air new plans and policies.   

Over the weekend Brian Tamaki announced the formation of the Freedoms New Zealand Party, to be co-led by himself and Sue Grey. I sat down with Tamaki for an open and frank conversation about his political aspirations, what he perceives to be the pressing political issues at the moment and what he would do about them, and kids being taught 'self stimulation' in our schools. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of WEIRD things were seen on the internet this week, and we talk about them ALL. But don't worry in this ep - we also bring a bunch of positive news (can you believe it?) Listen wherever you get your pods!And to hear Brian Tamaki's rant straight from the horse's mouth check out this link here (starts at 2 hours and 4 minutes) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On last night's double poll: Really, this is not so much a story about the Labour party's success as it is about the National party needing a rocket. I mean, sure Labour should absolutely celebrate the bump in their polls, but let's put this in context. The best this poll bump gives Labour is a hung parliament. That's a draw. Their big, pre-planned election year reset hasn't given them an outright win, they must be a little bummed by that. National though should be very bummed out that it is drawing with a Government many consider one of the worst Governments, if not the worst Government in living memory. How is that happening?  Over the BBQs this summer I heard the same thing consistently from people who want to vote Labour out. They can't vote for National, because they don't know what National stands for. National is gonna have to start fronting up with some policies, or they risk doing serious damage to themselves and Chris Luxon. One of the worst things out of that poll night for National was that only 37 percent of Kiwis trust Chris Luxon.  44 percent don't. That is happening because Luxon keeps changing his mind. He wouldn't support ankle bracelets on kids, then he wanted ankle bracelets on kids.  He wouldn't allow a referendum on co governance, and then he left the door open to a referendum on co governance.  He wanted to cancel Labour Day, then he didn't want to cancel Labour Day. National opposed the clean car discount scheme, then they let slip they'd keep the clean car discount scheme. National promised to scrap the top tax rate, now they're reviewing whether to scrap the top tax rate. Luxon wouldn't rule out working with Brian Tamaki, then he would rule out working with Brian Tamaki. That is happening because Chris Luxon and National don't know what they stand for, because they haven't released any policy yet. Kiwis are going to struggle to vote for someone if they can't trust them not to change their mind once they're in Government. Neither of these parties will celebrate being in a draw last night, but for National it's much worse. Because, how do they explain trailing one of the worst Governments in history in the polls? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The "squeezed middle" payment was meant to be a political circuit breaker, but it's left the government on the defensive. Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire speak on what went wrong and the demands for an apology - does the scramble to explain adding GST on KiwiSaver fees just add to a sense that they're not in control of the story? Plus: Slán leat to Trevor Mallard and kia ora to new speaker Adrian Rurawhe, the potential for Brian Tamaki's new Freedom NZ political project, and Marama Davidson gets grief for use of the C-word (chocolate). Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

About 2000 anti-government protesters marched on Parliament today - but there was no repeat of the violence and fiery riot that ended the occupation earlier in the year. The event was organised by the Freedoms and Rights Coalition associated with Destiny Church, and its leader Brian Tamaki put himself at centre stage. Our reporter Hamish Cardwell and cameraman Samuel Rillstone were there.  

People from across the country converged upon Parliament once again yesterday for a comparatively subdued protest by the Freedom and Rights Coalition led by Brian Tamaki. However, Parliament grounds were not only full of people claiming high crimes against the government, it also attracted a significant turnout of counter-protestors. One of them was Teanau Tuiono from the Green Party, and Emilia chatted with him this morning.

A new political party has emerged on parliament's lawns. About 2000 supporters of the Destiny Church-led Freedoms and Rights Coalition staged another anti-government rally at Parliament. Its leader Brian Tamaki put himself at centre stage, announcing a new coalition of three parties called Freedoms NZ. National Party leader Christopher Luxon has previously been asked by media if he'd work with fringe parties - but there hasn't been a firm answer. Luxon spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Police are promising a "significant" presence around parliament for today's planned antigovernment protests, but retailers are still worried it may not be significant enough for them to keep their doors open for business. Small-business operators are worried that the arrival of Brian Tamaki's Freedom & Rights Coalition at Parliament's grounds could mean their own departure from the scene. Association of Dairy, Grocery and Small Businesses president Neil Patel spoke to Corin Dann.

Political commentators Brigitte and Lamia give their verdict on National's two-day conference in Christchurch where it elected a new party president, Sylvia Wood. 

Auckland businesses do not want a bar of a protest planned for Saturday, led by Brian Tamaki's Freedom and Rights Coalition. The group is calling it a "patriots march" and are gathering in the Auckland Domain before heading off - with the route not yet public. Last time, about several hundred protestors spilled on the inner city streets and clogged the Southern Motorway, closing it to traffic. It disrupted trade in Newmarket - one of the busiest shopping destinations. Local business association boss Mark Knoff-Thomas says they dont need a repeat. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6310455083112

Businesses in Auckland are bracing themselves ahead of a protest led by Brian Tamaki's Freedom and Rights Coalition on Saturday. Its previous protest spilled onto roads and motorways, causing widespread disruption. The group hasn't applied for a permit and Auckland Council has warned it it faces enforcement action if there is any live music, food trucks or entertainment. Felix Walton reports.

Newmarket locals are frustrated at Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, saying Saturday's protest left people cut off from sick family and businesses counting yet more losses.  Meanwhile, Mr Tamaki's wife, Hannah, is making light of the chaos. Here's our reporter Nick Truebridge and cameraman Nick Monro.  

Auckland's mayor, Phil Goff, says the actions of anti-government protesters who shut down part of Auckland's motorway on Saturday, "put lives at risk". The protest was led by Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, who called for all major political parties to step aside. The police say they may charge some of the protesters in coming days.  Phil Goff spoke with Susie Ferguson.

Time to pay up - Christchurch City Council is chasing anti-mandate, anti-government protestors for $50,000 for costs incurred during rallies in the city. In a series of invoices the council has billed the local branch of the Freedoms and Rights Coalition, which is linked to Brian Tamaki's Destiny Church, for the cost of traffic control. But so far no one has paid up. Christchurch City councillor Jake McLellan talks to Lisa Owen.