Destiny Church’s anti-faith protest highlights a deeper contradiction in the Christian Right’s stance on religious freedom in New Zealand, writes Craig Young.
The New Zealand Christian Right holds a contradictory stance on religious freedom: they champion it for themselves, yet seem reluctant to extend it to others.
Many LGBTQI+ New Zealanders embrace a “live and let live” approach to religion. As long as a faith does not promote homophobia or transphobia, co-existence is possible. Faithful individuals are often our colleagues, friends, and even whānau.
In truth, religious observance has declined significantly in Aotearoa over recent decades. Over 20 years ago, ‘no religion’ overtook Anglicanism as the largest category of belief. Christianity—regardless of denomination or political stance—is in demographic retreat. As conservative Christians diminish in number, their political clout has waned, limiting their ability to oppose progressive reforms.
Destiny Church exemplifies this struggle. Brian Tamaki’s group resists the multicultural, multifaith fabric of modern Aotearoa. His anti-immigration rhetoric does not reflect broader Māori perspectives. For over 180 years, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Sikh communities have co-existed peacefully here, arguably with more grace than the aggressive, imported forms of conservative Christianity.
Tamaki’s recent Queen Street protest ignored our legal landscape. Since 1977, religious discrimination has been illegal. The 1990 Bill of Rights Act protects freedom of religion, belief, speech, and assembly, so long as these freedoms do not infringe upon others’ rights. This includes the right to hold no religious beliefs.
Religious freedom also means that all faiths can build places of worship and occupy public spaces. During the march, Destiny Church members, including the controversial Man Up group, were instructed to destroy symbols of other faiths—and a Pride flag—highlighting the ongoing homophobia and transphobia within the sect.
One has to hope that this weekend’s parade will be the last straw and Tamaki will finally be held accountable for these hateful actions. When even Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour appears unimpressed, you know you’ve crossed a line.
