A former youth leader at Destiny Church has admitted to sexually abusing six boys, with the court now permitting his name to be made public.
Kiwa Hami Tamati Edward Hamiora-Te Hira, 29, pleaded guilty to eight charges at the Manukau District Court on Friday. His lawyer, Kelly-Ann Stoikoff, confirmed on Monday that the charges include several representative offences, indicating repeated instances of abuse over several years.
The charges relate to offences committed between 2018 and 2023 against six boys aged 15 to 19. Hamiora-Te Hira was first charged in June, and his sentencing is scheduled for March next year.
Name suppression, which was previously in place, has now been lifted.
In response to the allegations, Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki condemned the abuse in a social media post earlier this year. “I fight every day to protect our future generation. I do not have any time or tolerance for individuals who cause young people harm,” Tamaki wrote. He also expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, urging a swift investigation by authorities.
