Our History

Destiny Church was launched July 4th 1998 and was originally known as City Church Auckland. A small commercial warehouse in Pakuranga was chosen by the then Pastor Brian Tamaki, as a suitable site and the old untidy building was converted into the first church premises. The church began with 20 members, mostly people from Pastor Brian's previous church Lake City Church Rotorua, which later became Destiny Church Rotorua. Within a year attendance had grown to over 300 people and temporary overflow seating was required to accommodate the congregation. In 2001 the church was renamed Destiny Church and Destiny Television was launched to allow everyone in New Zealand to hear Pastor Brian's preached messages. This was the first Christian program of its type in New Zealand and was completely paid for and produced by the people of Destiny Church.

In a short time Pastor Brian became a well-known preacher in New Zealand with his no nonsense apostolic preaching style capturing a lot of attention in lounges across the country. His message of God touched many lives and the church quickly out grew its first premises.

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In 2001 a larger corporate office and warehouse was found in the neighbouring Auckland suburb of Mt Wellington and work commenced on converting this new building into the second church premises. In late 2001 after months of work by church members and when the church was barely three years old, Destiny Church moved into its current location. Development in and around the church has continued with the addition of an early childhood centre, an academically successful primary school, a recording studio, television editing suite, fitness centre and children’s church auditorium.

In August 2004 Destiny Church lead the "Enough is Enough" march to parliament protesting the Labour government’s policy changes to the drinking age, legalising of prostitution and the introduction of the civil union bill. Pastor Brian and the church were perceived to be anti-homosexual and received a lot of criticism from some media organisations. The march drew thousands of supporters from Destiny and many other churches as well as some non-Christian from all over the country. Despite all the allegations of hatred toward homosexuals Pastor Brian said on Destiny TV, "...although I disagree with the sexual behaviour of homosexuals I have no hatred towards them. In fact I love everyone and any person is welcome at Destiny Church".

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In 2005 Pastors and leaders from the Destiny movement met to ordain Pastor Brian as Bishop of Destiny Church.

Over the years Destiny Church has expanded by planting churches in most of New Zealands main centers, including: Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Rotorua, Nelson, New Plymouth, Whangarei, Gisborne, Tauranga, Whakatane, Auckland and Brisbane Australia.

Under the strong leadership of Bishop Tamaki and the Destiny pastors, combined membership in Destiny Church has grown. Bishop Tamaki has made a positive impact on many 1000's of lives and today he continues his mission to spread the message of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God throughout the world.

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