Destiny New Zealand
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Destiny New Zealand, a Christian political party in New Zealand, centres around the charismatic Destiny Church, founded and led by the televangelist Brian Tamaki. The party describes itself as "centre-right", and places a strong focus on traditional family values.
Destiny New Zealand first formed early in 2003. As such, it has not yet contested an election, making it difficult to judge the party's impact. By June 2004, the party claimed to have around three thousand members, and indicated an intent to stand candidates in all electorates, but many political commentators believe that the crowded "market" for Christian parties in New Zealand provides little scope for Destiny New Zealand's success.
Destiny New Zealand takes a strongly conservative stance in most policy areas. It has repeatedly criticised what it sees as the permissive nature of modern society, with Brian Tamaki saying that New Zealand "has moved so far away from God that anything goes now". The party's political leader, Richard Lewis, has spoken out strongly against the current Labour Party administration, saying that the nation "simply cannot afford to spend another term under the dictates of an anti-marriage, anti-family and anti-Christian government." Destiny New Zealand has also condemned the existence of "fatherless families", saying that lack of male leadership contributes to social ills. In 2002, Brian Tamaki reportedly stated that having female political leaders (as New Zealand currently has) formed part of the "Devil's strategy", although Tamaki says that reports have taken his remarks out of context.
Some confusion exists as to how closely the Destiny New Zealand party overlaps the Destiny Church itself. According to both Brian Tamaki (leader of the church) and Richard Lewis (leader of the party), the two remain quite separate, with the teachings of the church merely having inspired the party. Tamaki describes the situation by saying "the way I preach has stirred something in their hearts and they've decided to do something", and describes himself merely as "a spiritual adviser". Lewis similarly denies that the church controls the party. Others, including several former church members, see this paradigm as just an illusion, and say that Lewis actually just serves as a "frontman" for Tamaki. Groups such as Cultwatch, a multi-denominational Christian group that targets what it perceives as cults, have attacked both the party and the church. Both the church and the party dismiss these criticisms as merely attempts to undermine the movement.
In 2003, Tamaki announced that Destiny Church would rule New Zealand by 2008. However, recent polls show Destiny New Zealand's support at only 0.5%—well below the threshold required for it to enter Parliament without winning at least one electorate seat.
See also
External links
- Destiny New Zealand official website (http://www.destinynz.org.nz/)
- New Zealand Herald report (24 May 2003) (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3503680&thesection=news&thesubsection=general)
- Sunday Star Times report (6 June 2004) (http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2932175a11,00.html)
- Is Destiny destined to rule? (from Rick Ross) (http://www.rickross.com/reference/destiny_churches/destiny_churches4.html)