'A new party on the block': Brian Tamaki breaks silence after anti-government protests

Author: RNZ,
Publish Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2022, 4:30PM

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has broken his silence following today's anti-government protests.

Auckland's Southern Motorway is now open in both directions after protesters walked out onto the motorway as police looked on this morning.

The protest in Auckland has ended after causing major disruption to traffic.

Tamaki told Radio New Zealand he will soon make an announcement regarding three minor parties forming a coalition.

Tamaki said three minor parties have made the commitment to operate under a new umbrella.

Photo / Jonty Dine / RNZ

"I'm in talks with others. So it looks like there's going to be a new party on the block.

"We want to bring reform to this political establishment. It needs changing. We want to get it out of the hands of parties, and into the hands of people."

Tamaki said he has no interest in personally running for Parliament, preferring to act in an advisory role to the new party.

Several hundred people gathered at the Auckland Domain this morning, before leaving in a march organised by Tamaki. It is not known if he attended.

Children and elderly people were among the large group calling for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and all the major political parties to step aside.

They walked out onto the southern motorway at about 11.30am, as police blocked off all traffic heading south.

All southbound lanes on the motorway were closed as the protesters made their way from the Khyber Pass on-ramp to Market Road.

Photo / Jonty Dine / RNZ

The leaders of the march reached the Market Road off-ramp and turned around to get back on the motorway in the other direction, closing all northbound lanes.

With many of the protesters returning to the domain, all motorway lanes have now reopened, although there are warnings of delays as congestion eases.