By 3 News online staff
Destiny Church is reportedly planning to build its own ‘town’ in South Auckland.
Self-styled ‘Bishop’ Brian Tamaki is understood to have told his New Year’s Eve ‘MegaService’ in Rotorua the church had secured resource consent to build schools, a university and a massive auditorium.
Tamaki’s supporters reportedly rose and cheered as Tamaki told them he had signed a contract.
“We can do anything we want – we can build it.”
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The revelation comes despite the church denying it had plans to build an exclusive housing area for members in South Auckland.
In 2008, a 3 News investigation uncovered a piece of land the church had put a conditional offer on.
But at the time, owners of the property in Wiri refused to confirm they were in negotiations and no one from Destiny Church would appear on camera.
At a conference that same year Tamaki outlined his vision.
“From zero right till when you are a hero in heaven, we’ll track your education, we’ll track you right through.”
He then asked the thousands who had gathered to consider selling their homes and moving to Auckland to fulfil the great purpose of God.
"All I need is every single person in this room in their heart to say yes, I would strongly urge you to go home and think about it and talk about it with your spouse.”
Tamaki is now believed to be appealing for donations to help fund the town.
"Much of your seed is going to go toward the foundations of an offering toward our promised land, and that beginning is not going to come without a fruitful start financially,” he told the New Year’s Eve service.
Destiny Church will lease the property until its Mt Wellington headquarters have sold, at which point it will have the option of purchasing the land.
3 News