A counter protest met Destiny Church action outside a youth health service for transgender youth in Christchurch today. Photo / George Heard

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki leads trans protest in Christchurch

Publish Date: Mon, 6 May 2024, 1:09PM

Destiny Church supporters have been protesting outside a Christchurch youth health service which helps young transgender people access healthcare.

Controversial church leader Brian Tamaki spearheaded the protest activity outside Te Tahi Youth, which was founded by Dame Sue Bagshaw.

There were face-to-face verbal altercations with a counter-protest group which had police paying close attention before Tamaki drove away. A teddy bear was thrown at his car amidst angry scenes.

A counter protest met Destiny Church action outside a youth health service for transgender youth in Christchurch today. Photo / George Heard

Tamaki announced his protest plans on social media platform X this morning.

Last night he spoke in Christchurch about what he claimed was the “irreversible destruction puberty blockers were causing to hundreds of Kiwi kids and teenagers” in New Zealand.

Brian Tamaki arrives at the Christchurch protest. Photo / George Heard

“Dr Sue Bagshaw who is the pioneer of blockers in NZ and unbelieveably [sic] has also been appointed the lead investigator in the review of blockers suitability in NZ by the Govt... What a joke. We all know the outcome they want in this corrupt setup.”

Tamaki supports are holding signs alleging that puberty blockers amount to “child abuse” while others are waving New Zealand flags.