Police investigating assault allegations as Destiny Church followers ‘crossed line’ with anti-Pride protests
Sunday, 16 February 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says Destiny Church members “went too far” by protesting two separate Pride events in Auckland on Saturday, a day before Big Gay Out was held in the city.
Destiny Church members stormed a library in Te Atatū, Auckland to protest a pride event run by a drag king, which has left police investigating assault allegations.
A video showed them pushing past staff on a stairwell, while others performed a haka and held up signs with “say no to pride propaganda” and “there are only 2 genders”.
Later that night Destiny Church members also blocked a rainbow parade on Ponsonby Rd.
Morgan Huffman was taking photos of the parade around 7.45pm when a float came to a stop as a line of police moved onto the road.
Huffman then saw about 30 to 40 people wearing Destiny Church slogans. Wanting better photos, Huffman jumped the barricade.
“As I reached the police line the group began performing a haka. It lasted for about two minutes before tensions escalated, with insults being exchanged between the Destiny members and parade attendees.
“The police then moved in, pushing the group back toward the Karangahape Rd end of the parade,” Huffman said.
Luxon said Destiny Church “went too far” when asked about the incident, and how it would impact New Zealand’s reputation.
“We expect people to have free speech, we expect people to be respectful and to have peaceful protests,” he said on Sunday.
“They went too far, and bottom line is that this is a great country, we celebrate diversity in this country. It’s made us a better place.”
Acting Waitematā District Commander Simon Walker said police “strongly condemn” the actions of Destiny Church protesters and were actively investigating allegations of assault during the incident at Te Atatū library.
“The event was being run as part of the city’s pride festival but was cancelled after about 50 people entered the building and refused to leave.”
He said the groups actions caused “considerable distress and concern” among tamariki, library staff and visitors.
“This protest crossed a line.”
Inquiries into the incident had begun and no arrests had been made on Sunday evening.
Police encouraged anyone who wassubjected to violent behaviour at the event to make a report at their nearest police station.
“Freedom of speech and the right to protest are fundamental principles of a free and democratic society under the rule of law, but nobody, especially children, should ever be made to feel unsafe,” said Walker.
Walker said he was proud of frontline staff who responded to the scene quickly, and acknowledged the library staff who did their best to de-escalate the situation and keep visitors safe.
“Police and Auckland Council have worked closely around the pride celebrations, and this work will continue. We live in a diverse city in a diverse country, and that is worth celebrating,” said Walker.
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki said they were “making a stand against the woke agenda plaguing our city,” in a Facebook post, adding that drag story time events were an attempt to “seduce more kids into their queer lifestyle.”
Alex Anderson, General Manager for the Burnett Foundation who run Big Gay Out said they’re working closely with their security team and police.
“We’ve had a debrief this morning and are actively monitoring for any disruptions,” said Anderson.
“We are super happy to be welcoming our rainbow and takatāpui whānau, and allies, on to the park for what is already a busy day.
Anderson said the focus for Sunday’s Big Gay Out was to celebrate with their communities, and connect more rainbow people with a wide range of health services available to them.