Brian Raymond Tamaki was born in 1958 in Te Awamutu, New Zealand, as the eldest of five children. He was raised in a rural environment on a family farm. His mother introduced him to Methodism, while he later described his father as largely absent due to alcoholism.
Tamaki left secondary school at 15 and worked in the forestry and dairy industries. During this period, he engaged in drug use and experienced instability in his personal life. In his youth, he began a relationship with Hannah Lee, which was reportedly tumultuous before their marriage in 1980. After his baptism in the Apostolic Church in 1979, Tamaki pursued theological studies and was ordained as a pastor in 1984. He later established several congregations, including Lake City Church in Rotorua.
In 1998, Brian and Hannah Tamaki founded what became Destiny Church, beginning with a group of approximately twenty members in Auckland. The organization expanded rapidly, reaching an estimated 5,000 members by 2003. Its structure is hierarchical and its services follow a Pentecostal style of worship. The church promotes prosperity theology, which teaches that financial and physical well-being reflect God’s will for believers. In 2005, Tamaki was ordained as the “Apostle Bishop” of the movement, consolidating his authority over a network of churches in New Zealand and Australia.
The church soon became the subject of public debate and criticism, including allegations that it functions as a cult. Critics and organizations such as Cultwatch have pointed to the concentration of authority around Tamaki’s leadership. In 2009, during the church’s “MoMENtum” conference, approximately 700 male followers swore a “covenant oath” of loyalty and obedience to him. A document titled “Protocols & Requirements Between Spiritual Father & His Spiritual Sons” described Tamaki as the “tangible expression of God” and required followers to refrain from criticizing him, adhere to a specific dress code, and submit to his authority.
Tamaki has rejected these allegations, stating that the church’s teachings are orthodox and arguing that similar criteria could be applied to mainstream denominations. He has said that he serves as a visible role model for men and that the church provides social services to marginalized communities.
The church’s ideology emphasizes Christian fundamentalism, including a patriarchal view of family and adherence to what it defines as biblical morality. In 2004, Destiny Church organized the “Enough is Enough” rally in opposition to civil union legislation. The movement has also pursued political involvement. In 2003, the Destiny New Zealand party was launched, following Tamaki’s 2004 prophecy that the movement would “rule the nation.” In the 2005 general election, the party received 0.6 percent of the vote and did not enter Parliament.
Financial practices within Destiny Church have drawn scrutiny. The church promotes tithing, encouraging members to give 10 percent of their income. Critics have described this practice as burdensome, particularly for members from lower-income backgrounds. Allegations concerning leadership conduct have also emerged. In 2010, historical allegations involved local branches of the church. In 2024, reports surfaced that a former youth group leader had been charged with multiple counts of indecent assault involving teenagers. The church suspended the individual, and Tamaki expressed support for a police investigation. The family of one of the boys involved criticized the church’s internal handling of the matter.
As of recent years, Destiny Church continues to operate from its headquarters in South Auckland and runs programs such as the “Man-Up” initiative. However, official census data indicates lower membership figures than those publicly claimed. In the 2018 New Zealand Census, 1,772 individuals identified as followers of the church, compared with the 6,000 members claimed by Tamaki.
Key Sources:
George, G. (2020, September 17). Opinion: Destiny must be treated as a cult. NZ Herald.
Lineham, P. (2013). Destiny: The Life and Times of a Self-Made Apostle: The life and Times of a Self-Made Prophet. Penguin Random House New Zealand Limited.
One News New Zealand (2009, October 29). Destiny’s Brian Tamaki answers ‘cult’ accusations.
The Otago Daily Times. (2010, March 2) Destiny Church a money-making cult, former members say.
Tamaki, B. (2006). Bishop Brian Tamaki: More Than Meets the Eye.
Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religious Movements 