Destiny’s Church leader Brian Tamaki was cheered on by dozens of supporters as he entered Auckland district court facing a trial over Covid-19 breaches.
The charges relate to 2021 when the pastor attended three different marches protesting Covid-19 vaccines and lockdowns.
More than two dozen people were standing outside the courthouse holding signs saying “make NZ great again” and “we stand with Tamaki”.
The trial had been scheduled to take place Monday morning but was moved to Monday afternoon.
Tamaki was first charged with violating Covid-19 orders after allegedly organising and attending a lockdown and vaccine mandate protest on 2 October 2021, at Auckland Domain. About 1000 people gathered at that protest.
At the time, he pleaded not guilty and was remanded on bail and banned from encouraging non-compliance with government lockdown orders.
A week later, while on bail, Tamaki attended a second protest at the domain. He was charged with breaching his bail conditions and violating Covid-19 orders.
He then did this again for a third time, and was charged with violating Covid-19 orders and breaching his bail conditions.
He has denied all charges.
Photo Credit: NZ Herald
