ISSUE
Friday, August 7, 2026
Volume 17 . Issue 31
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki says police have revoked his firearms licence.
On Saturday, the church leader announced on social media that police had decided he was no longer a "fit and proper person".
He said police issued a notice revoking his firearms licence on Friday.
"I am now prohibited not only from possessing my own firearms, but from possessing or using a firearm even under the supervision of a licensed firearms holder."
Acting Executive Director of Firearms Safety Authority Bruce Bird said police were unable to comment on an individual case or licensing decisions.
"However, speaking generally, decisions about suspending or revoking a firearms licence are based on a legal standard of whether a person is 'fit and proper' to possess a firearm."
Bird said fit and proper decisions were guided by circumstances outlined in section 24A of the Arms Act.
Tamaki said he would be seeking a review of the decision.
"I now have 28 days to apply for a review ... you can be certain that I will," he wrote on social media.
On Saturday, Tamaki claimed his licence had been revoked in response to statements he had made concerning Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"I was speaking passionately. I was protesting. I was challenging what I believed needed to be challenged," he said.
"This follows the temporary suspension issued to me on 30 June and the subsequent submissions made by my lawyer opposing that suspension."
In June, police confirmed they had served a temporary firearms licence suspension notice at an Auckland property. Authorities declined to comment on the specifics.
At the time of the suspension, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said he was sure the police had acted within the law.
"I got zero time for Brian Tamaki," he said. "If he's got any complaints, he should take them through the proper legal channels and possibly stop being a dickhead."
Earlier that month, Tamaki accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of purging Christians in the South Asian nation.
"He [Modi] is currently purging India of all Christians and burning church buildings down," Tamaki had said in a video posted on social media.
"I think we should reciprocate in kind. Let's purge New Zealand of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. And, while we're at it, if they're burning churches down, why don't we burn mosques and their temples down? Tit for tat."
Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell then labelled the comments as the "actions of a scared bully" and said police would assess the remarks.
A police spokesperson confirmed at the time that they were looking into the contents of the video.
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki says police have revoked his firearms licence.
On Saturday, the church leader announced on social media that police had decided he was no longer a "fit and proper person".
He said police issued a notice revoking his firearms licence on Friday.
"I am now...
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki says police have revoked his firearms licence.
On Saturday, the church leader announced on social media that police had decided he was no longer a "fit and proper person".
He said police issued a notice revoking his firearms licence on Friday.
"I am now prohibited not only from possessing my own firearms, but from possessing or using a firearm even under the supervision of a licensed firearms holder."
Acting Executive Director of Firearms Safety Authority Bruce Bird said police were unable to comment on an individual case or licensing decisions.
"However, speaking generally, decisions about suspending or revoking a firearms licence are based on a legal standard of whether a person is 'fit and proper' to possess a firearm."
Bird said fit and proper decisions were guided by circumstances outlined in section 24A of the Arms Act.
Tamaki said he would be seeking a review of the decision.
"I now have 28 days to apply for a review ... you can be certain that I will," he wrote on social media.
On Saturday, Tamaki claimed his licence had been revoked in response to statements he had made concerning Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"I was speaking passionately. I was protesting. I was challenging what I believed needed to be challenged," he said.
"This follows the temporary suspension issued to me on 30 June and the subsequent submissions made by my lawyer opposing that suspension."
In June, police confirmed they had served a temporary firearms licence suspension notice at an Auckland property. Authorities declined to comment on the specifics.
At the time of the suspension, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said he was sure the police had acted within the law.
"I got zero time for Brian Tamaki," he said. "If he's got any complaints, he should take them through the proper legal channels and possibly stop being a dickhead."
Earlier that month, Tamaki accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of purging Christians in the South Asian nation.
"He [Modi] is currently purging India of all Christians and burning church buildings down," Tamaki had said in a video posted on social media.
"I think we should reciprocate in kind. Let's purge New Zealand of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. And, while we're at it, if they're burning churches down, why don't we burn mosques and their temples down? Tit for tat."
Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell then labelled the comments as the "actions of a scared bully" and said police would assess the remarks.
A police spokesperson confirmed at the time that they were looking into the contents of the video.
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