Destiny New Zealand

Destiny New Zealand
Leader Richard Lewis
Founded 2003 (2003)
Dissolved September 18, 2007 (2007-09-18)
Ideology Christian-based social conservatism
International affiliation None
Colours Red, black, white
MPs in the House of Representatives 0

Destiny New Zealand was a Christian political party in New Zealand centred on the charismatic/pentecostal Destiny Church. The party described itself as "centre-right". It placed a strong focus on socially conservative values and argued that the breakdown of the traditional family was a primary cause of many of New Zealand's problems. It announced its de-registration as a political party on 18 September 2007, and was removed from the register a month later.[1] It did not hold any seats in Parliament.

History

Destiny New Zealand was formed early in 2003. By June 2004 the party claimed to have around three thousand members, and indicated an intent to stand candidates in all electorates. The party took a strongly conservative stance in most policy areas. It repeatedly criticised what it saw as the permissive nature of modern society, with Brian Tamaki saying that New Zealand "has moved so far away from God that anything goes now".

The party's political leader, Richard Lewis, spoke out strongly against the former Labour-Progressive administration, saying that the nation "simply cannot afford to spend another term under the dictates of an anti-marriage, anti-family and anti-Christian government." Destiny New Zealand also condemned the existence of "fatherless families", saying that lack of male leadership contributed to social ills. In 2000, Tamaki reportedly stated that having female political leaders (as New Zealand had at the time) formed part of the "Devil's strategy",[2][3] although Tamaki says that reports have taken his remarks out of context.

2005 general election

In 2004, Tamaki predicted that Destiny Church would rule New Zealand by 2008.[4] However, in the 2005 elections, Destiny New Zealand received just over 14,000 votes (out of over two million nationwide) or 0.62% of the vote—well short of 5% threshold required to enter Parliament without winning an electorate. This was the highest vote of any party not to make it into Parliament.[5] Polling before the election consistently showed the party was well short of the threshold. None of its electorate candidates were a serious factor in their respective races (Lewis had the best showing, gaining 1,111 votes for a distant third in Manukau East).

Links with Destiny Church

Some confusion exists as to how closely the Destiny New Zealand party overlapped with the Destiny Church. According to both Brian Tamaki (leader of the church) and Richard Lewis (leader of the party), the two remained quite separate, with the teachings of the church merely having inspired the party. Tamaki described the situation by saying: "the way I preach has stirred something in their hearts and they've decided to do something", and described himself merely as "a spiritual adviser". Lewis similarly denied that the church controlled the party. Others, including several former church members, see this paradigm as just an illusion, and say that Lewis actually just served as a "frontman" for Tamaki. Groups such as Cultwatch, a multi-denominational Christian group that targets what it perceives as cults, have attacked the party and the church.[6] The church and the party dismissed these criticisms as merely attempts to undermine the movement.

Deregistration and stalled merger

On 18 September 2007, Brian Tamaki announced that Destiny New Zealand would be deregistered as a political party.[7] In its place, a new Christian political party would be formed, with Richard Lewis as the co-leader.[8] The second co-leader was not announced. However, then-MP for The Kiwi Party Gordon Copeland announced that he was the other co-leader of the party.[9] On 20 September Copeland announced that he "could not work" with Richard Lewis, and would remain an independent MP.[10] In October, it was announced that Destiny New Zealand would put its support behind a Family Party, to be led by Lewis and former United Future MP Paul Adams.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Electoral Commission - News Releases & Resources - Destiny New Zealand removed from party register
  2. ↑ Taylor, Kevin (24 May 2003). "Evangelist's church spawns Christian political party". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 March 2011.
  3. ↑ Wall, Tony (7 March 2010). "Is Tamaki's empire crumbling?". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Is Destiny destined to rule?". Television New Zealand. 3 October 2004.
  5. ↑ Official Count Results - Overall Status
  6. ↑ Inside Destiny Church
  7. ↑ "Destiny Church widening political scope". Newstalk ZB. 2007-09-17. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  8. ↑ "New Party to unify Christians". The Dominion Post. 2007-09-17. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  9. ↑ "Copeland announces he's co-leader". Newstalk ZB. 2007-09-17. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  10. ↑ "Speed wobbles hit Christian party plan". The Dominion Post. 2007-09-20. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  11. ↑ "Joint Christian party officially dead, as two new parties emerge". Radio New Zealand. 2007-10-17. Archived from the original on 2007-10-19. Retrieved 2007-10-17.

External links

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