New Zealand radical leader destroys Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh flags, performs haka

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, along with his followers, held a march in central Auckland, claiming that "the spread of non-Christian religions is now out of control" in New Zealand. During the protest, participants reportedly tore and trampled on religious flags and symbols, including those of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Islamic communities, performing haka after each such act.

The march, promoted under the slogan "Faith, Flag, and Family", was organised by Destiny Church against immigration and non-Christian religions.

Ahead of the march, Tamaki said church leaders had sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calling for a reversal of the position that the country has no official religion, Radio New Zealand reported.

The protesters marched down Queen Street in Auckland carrying a massive banner declaring, "NZ's official religion: Christianity," according to the report in The New Zealand Herald.

Addressing his followers on Saturday, Tamaki said, "We are living in dangerous times, we are living in the last days. This is about standing for our flag." He also added, "Mass immigration has ruined Christian countries around the world," according to a report by The New Zealand Herald.

Hindu, Palestinian, Islamic, Buddhist, and Sikh flags were torn and stomped on by men who performed haka after each ritualistic destruction of flags, The New Zealand Herald also reported.

The group, largely clad in black and carrying New Zealand flags, gathered at Auckland's Aotea Square around noon.

"Tear it, boys," the self-described bishop told supporters holding a Buddhist flag, as they destroyed it while performing the haka, New Zealand-based news outlet, Newstalk ZB reported.

SIKHS EMPLOY THEIR OWN PEOPLE, NOT KIWIS: PROTESTERS

Church leader Tamaki specifically targeted the Sikh and the Buddhist communities.

"Sikhs were taking over our country, our businesses and our companies, and they no longer employ Kiwis, they employ their own people," Newstalk ZB quoted Tamaki as saying.

Talking about Buddhism, Tamaki claimed it "might be nice on the surface, but it's dangerous underneath."

CHURCH LEADER CALLS FOR NO IMMIGRATION WITHOUT ASSIMILATION

Tamaki said one of their demands was enforcing a policy of "no immigration without assimilation."

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour criticised the Destiny Church protest, saying the church leader's messaging was "un-Kiwi".

"What it means to be a Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they're welcome," he said.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell has also condemned Destiny Church's protest, stating that their "vile rhetoric and behaviour" has no place in the country. He also criticised the misuse of culturally sacred weapons to spread hate.

The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, the Combined Sikh Association of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Buddhist Council have come together to urge politicians to take action before hate crimes rise rapidly and lives are lost, The New Zealand Herald reported on Monday.