17 Jan 2022

Brian Tamaki remanded in custody for alleged breach of bail conditions

5:39 pm on 17 January 2022

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki - who was arrested this morning - has been remanded in custody.

Brian Tamaki speaks to supporters outside Auckland Central Police Station, 23 November 2021

Brian Tamaki (file photo) Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

He appeared by videolink in Auckland District Court this afternoon.

His church and an affiliated group have staged protests and meetings in recent weeks - the most recent in Christchurch.

Tamaki faces charges of breaching Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and a bail condition including that he not attend gatherings.

The judge said the 63-year-old made it difficult for him, and he remanded him in custody until the next hearing scheduled for 27 January.

Tamaki was taken into custody this morning, and his group, the Freedom and Rights Coalition, broadcast the event on social media.

Tamaki and his wife Hannah earlier posted a separate video in which he said the police were coming to arrest him.

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