13 May 2023

Brian Tamaki to run for Parliament as Freedom NZ leader

1:03 pm on 13 May 2023
Brian Tamaki seen during the anti-government protest in Wellington, marching towards Parliament on 23 August 2022.

Brian Tamaki. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Religious leader and anti-mandate protester Brian Tamaki has announced he will run for parliament at this year's election as leader of his Freedoms New Zealand party.

The party brings together Vision NZ, the New Nation Party and the Outdoors and Freedom Party.

At the 2020 election, Vision NZ garnered 0.5 percent of the vote - just over 4000 votes, while the then-Outdoors Party got 3000.

Anti-vaccination campaigner Sue Grey will be the party co-leader.

The Destiny Church leader has most recently been in the spotlight for organising anti-mandate protests in regard to Covid-19 restrictions.

He was arrested and spent 10 days in jail before being released.

He has denied charges relating to organising a protest at Auckland Domain in October 2021, when gathering limits were 10 people.

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