DIA investigating charities associated with Destiny Church

The Department of Internal Affairs has confirmed it is currently investigating charities associated with Destiny Church.

The Department's Director of Charities Services, Charlotte Stanley, said Destiny Church was made up of multiple churches and affiliated groups and only some were registered charities under the department's jurisdiction.

"From approximately 30 Destiny related registered charities only 10 remain after a number of deregistrations for failure to meet obligations and some self deregistrations.

"Allegations of serious wrongdoing are considered by the Department and, where relevant, by the independent Charities Registration Board. The Board makes its decisions independently of the Department."

She said because the matter was ongoing, the department could not comment on the nature or progress of the investigation.

"All concerns are assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the alleged conduct is connected to a registered charitable entity and whether it falls within the scope of the Charities Act 2005."

RNZ has approached Destiny Church and leader Brian Tamaki for comment.

The New Zealand Herald reported that last year a liquidator's report into Whakamana International Trust showed almost $2.4 million was owed to unsecured creditors, including Inland Revenue.

It reported the trust was linked to the church and had changed its name from Destiny International Trust last August.

There have also been past petitions and calls to strip Desitny Church of it's charitable status.

A year later a petition request was taken to parliament for the group to have its charitable status removed.

It came after protesters linked to Destiny Church, stormed a children's event being hosted by a drag king at a Te Atatū library in February of last year.

As a result, around 30 adults and young children barricaded themselves in a room in the library