Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has appeared in the Auckland District Court via video link this morning, after police alleged he broke Auckland’s Alert Level 3 restrictions by holding a lockdown protest.
Fellow Destiny Church member Paul Thompson, 57, also appeared in court. Both men pleaded not guilty to organising and attending the protest on October 2, which saw around 1000 people attend in the Auckland Domain.
Judge Brooke Gibson remanded the pair on bail and ordered them to comply with any Covid-19 level requirements, including not attending or organising any protests.
Tamaki and Thompson are also not allowed to use the internet to organise or incite non-compliance with those requirements.
If convicted of breaching the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act, the men could face up to six months’ prison and a $4000 fine.
Tamaki is charged along with fellow Destiny Church member Paul Craig Thompson with organising and attending the protest.
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