Friday, January 23, 2026

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Tamaki vows to march over Harbour Bridge despite NZTA refusal

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki is pressing ahead with plans for a large-scale protest march across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, despite the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) again rejecting his application for access.

NZTA confirmed it has declined the Freedom and Rights Coalition’s request to use the bridge on Auckland Anniversary Day 2026, saying Tamaki’s traffic management plan failed to meet the agency’s strict safety, infrastructure protection and traffic-disruption criteria.

The agency requires organisers to provide police and council sign-off and to pay a bond worth 50% of estimated event costs — conditions Tamaki claims were disclosed too late and unfairly imposed on his protest.

Police have separately warned they will not support any unauthorised crossing, stressing they recognise the right to protest but will not tolerate actions that “put the public at risk”.

Tamaki accused NZTA and police of “jumping the gun” by telling media his application was declined before formally notifying him.

In a statement posted to social media, he said the agency is wrongly treating the march as an “event,” insisting that protests do not require permits under New Zealand law.

He accused authorities of using double standards, noting that recent Treaty and Gaza solidarity marches did not require bonds or traffic management plans.

NZTA has since given organisers until 10 December to meet its criteria, but Tamaki says he has no intention of doing so, declaring: “We are marching across the bridge.” Branding the standoff “the Battle for the Bridge,” he warned that if police continue what he calls “political policing,” his group will cease communication entirely.

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7 COMMENTS

  1. Protest in a square or a park then. Oh, but that won’t get you the attention you desire.

    What is this bigot protesting?

    The man who backs Israel genocide of Palestinians, has supporters waving the warmongering dueche bags flag for president, getting his minions to intimidate minority groups.

    You have reached your maximum number of sheep for your flock Brian.

  2. I’m not a fan of Tamaki, at this point, I find his stance on Israel inexplicable. That said, this is typical of the increasingly dystopian, state of New Zealand,these days. Government and its functionaries, “cherry pick”, who has free speech and freedom of expression, using bureaucracy and lawfare. People need to stop voting for globalists.

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