Destiny Church has unveiled details of a new religious political party which it claims will represent Christians across the spectrum. But despite claims of unity there is already bickering and division.
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki announced that the existing political wing of the church, Destiny New Zealand, will be de-registered from Tuesday, making way for the new party.
"The reality is if we, New Zealand's Christian community and those who care about family values are to have a genuine voice in parliament, we will be far more effective together than we are apart," says Tamaki.
The launch of the new party is expected in about six weeks time but there are no details yet, not even a name for it, although former Destiny NZ party member Richard Lewis will be one of the co-leaders.
Former United Future MP Gordon Copeland will join stand with Lewis as the party's other co-leader. But despite all the talk of unity, Copeland was not aware Destiny planned to reveal his fellow leader and had to watch Destiny's live internet broadcast to find out - and he did not seem impressed.
"I think I can probably live with that, but the reality is I've got five years of parliamentary experience. I will of course be the other co-leader of the new party, so from my point of view quite a lot of mentoring will have to happen," says Copeland.
The Christians claim they can bring those across the religious spectrum together and get the 5% of the vote needed to get into parliament. This has not been done before although the Christian Coalition came close with 4.3% in 1996.
While the new party is hoping to put forward a unified Christian option for voters at next year's election, they say they will only be a part of a National-led government.
National Party leader John Key says he will talk to the newly formed party if it means being able to form a coalition government, as it would any other party with above 5% of the vote.
The new Christian party will campaign hard in South Auckland, including Mangere, which is held by former Labour MP Taito Phillip Field. The MP has held talks about joining the group but will not decide until bribery allegations are resolved in courts in the next few weeks.
The Destiny Church leader himself will also not be drawn on whether he will stand for the party in next year's parliamentary elections.
He says he will be on the party's National Advisory Committee and standing for a seat in parliament could be an option. However, he says if he decides to stand it will have to be considered by the committee.
