Members of the Parihaka community are demanding Destiny Church and its controversial leader Brian Tamaki remove the word "Parihaka" from their branding.
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
More than 100 church members were welcomed onto Parihaka on Sunday as part of the Man Up self-improvement tour.
They've since posted images online with the word "Parihaka" printed on them.
Thousands of people visit the historic Parihaka pā site each year.
But Parihaka papakainga trust chairperson Tina Mason said in a statement a key difference with Destiny Church's visit was that they brought in cameras, videoing and photographing the pōwhiri, before posting them online.
"PPT wants to make it clear that Brian Tamaki and his church join the thousands of manuhiri to its historic community. Many past visitors have come to respectfully acknowledge Parihaka, our tupuna Tohu Kākahi and Te Whiti-ō-Rongomai and the principles and values they championed.
"Destiny Church visited Parihaka as do many other groups. This does not imply any connection or support of positions taken by the Church. We will not, under any circumstances, be drawn into a debate over comments made or positions taken by any of the visitors to Parihaka."
Other members of the Parihaka community have posted messages online demanding Destiny Church remove any reference of the pā site from their images and branding.
In a statement Destiny Church said no offence was intended.
"As is our custom following each Tour of Duty that Man Up does around the country, we post a record of these special events on-line for all our people across NZ who may not have been able to attend.
"All photos and footage at the Marae were taken with permission and there was absolutely no offence intended by our actions post this beautiful day at Parihaka Marae."
