New Zealand faiths condemn call to ‘purge’ Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (MNTV) — A call by a New Zealand church leader to “purge” Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs and burn their places of worship has drawn condemnation from ten major ethnic and religious organizations, in one of the strongest interfaith responses since the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, the outlet AMUST reported.

The remarks by Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, made in a video he framed as part of a wider argument about the alleged persecution of Christians in the Indian subcontinent, were widely condemned regardless of that context. 

A spokesperson for the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) called them “verbal bullets of incitement,” warning such language emboldens fringe actors and retraumatizes communities still living with the legacy of 2019, when a gunman killed 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques. Hindu and Sikh leaders stressed that New Zealand’s diversity is a civic strength, not a vulnerability.

The episode has sharpened a debate over hate-speech law. 

A recent Law Commission review recommended strengthening the country’s hate-crime framework but declined to propose a standalone hate-speech law — a decision FIANZ and other faith groups criticized as leaving minorities exposed, citing a modest rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes. 

Others caution that “hate speech” is hard to define narrowly enough to avoid capturing legitimate if uncomfortable debate, and that vague laws risk uneven, politically convenient enforcement.

The interfaith response, community leaders said, showed civil society can push back against extremism without relying on legislation alone.