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Overview
This formal black two-piece suit belonged to Bishop Brian Tamaki, the founder and headof Destiny Church New Zealand.
Māori adaptations and the embrace of Christianity by Māori have been historically recorded since the first missionaries stepped on the shores of Aotearoa. 1814 was the official year that Christian teachings were formally introduced to Māori with the arrival of Thomas Kendall and then Samuel Marsden. The impact of Christianity and its teachings have since reverberated over time, competing with customary spiritual teachings within Māori communities and at many times, advocating for the rejection of Māori spirituality in favour of Christian-based teachings. It is hardly surprising that the presence of Christian-based churches within Māori society has been an ongoing source of debate and tension, especially with the resurgence in the 20th and 21st centuries of Māori self-determination and sometimes a return in part, to pre-colonial spiritual beliefs and practices.
However in the face of these debates, the presence of the Christian haahi or churches continues today. There have been many adapted or syncretic Māori Christian movements such as the Pai Marire, the Ringatu, and the Ratana churches - all of which have attracted Māori followers at times in their histories and many of which were politically fuelled as well as tapping into spiritual fervour.
But possibly the most recent of these movements can be identified as the Destiny Church. Established only in 1998 it has become a new faith that has since drawn several thousasnd followers of Māori, Pacific Island and Pakeha heritage. Destiny Church is an evangelical movement established in 1998; with Bishop Tamaki and the conservative beliefs of the Destiny Church drawing controversy and polarising opinion about the church and its place on the New Zealand landscape.