ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Brian Tamaki defends refusing to take Covid-19 vaccine - denies being anti-vaxxer

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 4 Mar 2021, 6:13PM
Brian Tamaki. (Photo / NZ Herald)
Brian Tamaki. (Photo / NZ Herald)

Brian Tamaki defends refusing to take Covid-19 vaccine - denies being anti-vaxxer

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 4 Mar 2021, 6:13PM

Destiny Church leaders are defending their decision not to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Brian and Hannah Tamaki have lashed back at critics who have lambasted the couple's decision to leave their home with just hours to spare before the city's borders were closed to curb the spread of the latest community outbreak in South Auckland.

Hannah, who is also the leader of Vision NZ, wrote on Facebook: "We are not the ones to say sorry. The media need to apologise to our people, calling them poor and less intelligent and need to have the Covid vaccine."

She also revealed that she will not be getting vaccinated for Covid-19.

Brian told Heather du Plessis-Allan that he also won't take the vaccine.

He says that he trusts God to protect them  - however, he says that's their personal choice.

"We said to them, you make your choice and you won't be condemned or put down for that. If you take the vaccine, that's fine, if you don't, that's fine."

Epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker earlier criticised the decision, telling the New Zealand Herald the Tamakis were leaders in their community and with leadership came real responsibility - and while vaccination was voluntary, advising others the fact that you weren't having it would clearly influence people.

Tamaki says that they are not anti-vaxxers and they are not conspiracy theorists, it is just a personal choice. 

However, he continuously urged that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other Cabinet ministers should take the vaccine first. 

Tamaki also declined to specify why he intends to sue Newstalk ZB host Mike Hosking and political editor Barry Soper for defamation - nor would he reveal who gave him the Tesla he drove to Rotorua in. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you