Destiny Church’s leader Brian Tamaki. Photo: RNZ/Angus Dreaver
Destiny Church’s leader has revealed that he strategically orchestrated the protests at Pride Festival events by his Man Up followers.
Over the weekend, approximately 30 members of the group disrupted a parade in Wellington by performing a haka.
The parade had only been going on for about five minutes when the Man Up members made their presence known.
Despite the crowd shouting “you are not welcome” and the police attempting to move them, the protesters stood their ground on Taranaki Street.
Protesters at the Wellington Pride Parade. Photo: RNZ
According to Tamaki, the protests were a stand to “protect children”.
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau, accompanied by Wellington Paranormal actress Karen O’Leary, denounced the protesters for spreading hatred and bigotry, declaring them unwelcome in the city.
It was also reported that members of the Man Up group had disrupted a Drag King’s children’s event at a West Auckland library a few weeks prior.
