Coronavirus: Churches receive more than $1.5m from Government's Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme

Wednesday, 15 April 2020

By early April, $4.8 billion had been paid out as part of the Government's wage subsidy scheme in only two weeks.

Destiny Church, along with numerous churches across the country, has received thousands of dollars in Government support through the wage subsidy scheme.

Nelson and Whakatāne branches of Destiny Church received $60,436 collectively for nine staff, according to the wages subsidy scheme register.

The church led by Brian Tamaki, had 10 registered branches, according to the Charities Register.

Churches and charities are considered not-for-profit organisations and are exempt from paying income tax.

Destiny Church spokeswoman Anne Williamson said the church would not respond to questions about the wage subsidy scheme.

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Destiny Church leaders Brian and Hannah Tamaki launched a political party last year but the Electoral Commission refused to register it.

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Last month the Destiny Church in Auckland held its Sunday service despite the Government's advice to cancel all events that attract more than 100 people amid the risk of spreading coronavirus before the lockdown started.

Last week Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Government had paid out $7 billion in wage subsidies to keep people in jobs for 12 weeks.

The Anglican Diocese of Auckland received $718,123 in wage subsidies for 109 staff

Destiny Church found fame with its 'Enough is Enough' march against civil unions in 2004. Last year Brian Tamaki and his wife Hannah Tamaki launched a political party but two months later the the Electoral Commission has refused to register it because the name and logo were likely to mislead or confuse voters.

Other churches have been able to keep hundreds of jobs in the businesses they operate through the wage subsidy.

The Anglican Diocese of Auckland received $718,123 for 109 staff.

Catholic Diocese of Auckland received $618,338 for 94 staff.

Churches around the country have collectively received more than $1.5m from the Government's wage subsidy scheme.

Catholic Diocese of Auckland general manager James van Schie said the wage subsidy helped provide 'certainty for staff during this uncertain time'.

All workers were being paid 100 per cent of their wages as the church was topping up the subsidy, Van Schie said.

The Anglican Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki was paid $355,058 for 65 staff.

Its senior executive manager Simon Cayley said the subsidy was applied on behalf of 50 parishes that operated their own opportunity shops.

Cayley said without the tax-payer-funded subsidy scheme, the economy would be burdened by more people going on the benefit.

'We don't have huge reserves, we have trust funds but we can't suddenly break them and spend them as we like because they are subject to the wishes of beneficiaries around them,' Cayley said.

'We talked it through extensively before making the application. One of the reasons we referenced was that if all these people were suddenly out of work and claiming benefit, that would have a big cost on the economy. The scheme is enabling us to sustain the economy beyond Covid-19.'

Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese Hamilton was paid $165,880 for 24 staff.

St Paul's Church in Auckland received $146,073 for 24 staff and City Impact Church Queenstown Incorporated received $133,562 for 19 staff.

The churches have been approached for comment.

City Church Tauranga received $103,896 for its 18 part-time and full-time cafe staff.

Pastor Alan Hood said the church was topping up the wage subsidy so workers would be paid 100 per cent of their wages over the 12 weeks.

'Without the subsidy we would be lost,' Hood said.

Hood said it cost the church $1500 per week to top up wages.

He said only a few younger staff were on the minimum wage.

While the future of the 18-month-old cafe was uncertain, the church was determined to keep its staff employed, Hood said.

'We don't know how long this lockdown will last and even after that it might be six to 12 months before people return to cafes. We may have to change how we do business, maybe opening as a takeaway or delivering meals,' Hood said.

'The Government has supported us so we will support the community as best as we can.'