Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb and Ilam MP Hamish Campbell have shared their views on the Christchurch City Council’s initial decision not to support official celebrations for the city’s 175th anniversary, as well as the growing controversy surrounding Destiny Church’s charitable status.
Speaking to Chris Lynch Media, both MPs were cautious about the influence of unelected council staff after the council initially decided not to endorse the milestone, citing colonial concerns.
The move sparked public frustration and was later overturned by Mayor Phil Mauger, who pushed for the celebrations to go ahead.
Campbell backed the mayor’s intervention, saying it aligned with the wishes of Christchurch residents.
“It’s important we celebrate the 175th anniversary of Christchurch,” Campbell said. “The mayor made the right call—and that’s been echoed by what we’ve heard through the electorate office. People were concerned the anniversary wouldn’t be acknowledged.”
Webb agreed that marking the city’s founding was appropriate but said it should be done with acknowledgment of New Zealand’s colonial history.
“Not everyone was excited when settlers arrived, looked across the Canterbury Plains, and claimed land that wasn’t theirs,” Webb said. “It’s important to celebrate the founding of Christchurch, but we should also acknowledge the connection of the land to Ngāi Tahu and respect the tangata whenua.”
Webb defended the democratic process, saying the mayor’s intervention showed elected officials had the final say.
“This is an example of democracy working as it should,” he said. “Unelected officials took one view, but an elected representative—Mayor Mauger—listened to the people and took action.”
Debate over Destiny Church’s charitable status
The discussion also touched on the controversy surrounding Destiny Church, following public criticism of the group’s recent protests and aggressive behaviour. There have been calls for the church’s charitable status to be revoked. Campbell said free speech should be protected but condemned intimidation.
“No Kiwi should feel intimidated, regardless of which group is behind it,” Campbell said. “Whether Destiny Church should lose its charitable status is not up to us—that’s a matter for the Department of Internal Affairs. However, we need to be cautious about punishing charities based on their ideology.”
Webb took a harder stance, calling for stricter rules around how charities operate and questioning why groups that engage in disruptive behaviour should continue to benefit from tax-free status.
“The idea that a group can intimidate people, disrupt public events, and still enjoy the benefits of charitable status is unacceptable,” Webb said. “We need stronger oversight—if groups can behave like that without consequences, something is clearly wrong.”
He also pointed to wider concerns about how some organisations exploit vulnerable people while continuing to operate under the protection of charitable status.
The MPs also addressed comments made by Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, who reportedly wrote on social media, “Make New Zealand straight again.”
Campbell said such rhetoric was damaging and should be challenged.
“New Zealand is a diverse society, and every Kiwi should feel welcome and free from discrimination,” Campbell said. “Free speech doesn’t mean harmful rhetoric should go unchallenged.”
