Destiny Church denies 'promised land' plan

The Destiny Church is denying claims that Bishop Brian Tamaki has told supporters plans are well under way for an exclusive "kingdom" in South Auckland where he is urging church members to move too.

The claims were made in a TV3 report last night  which said donations for the project had surpassed $2.4 million.

TV3 said that Destiny wanted to sell its Mt Wellington church and build community facilities and a church that would seat 5000 in Manukau."

The report said Tamaki was encouraging parishioners to sell their homes and move to the new community.

Tamaki was shown talking about the project at the church's annual conference at Labour Weekend.

"Every child of every member of this church will never have to go to a state school again," Tamaki said.

After the story ran on TV3,  Destiny spokeswoman Janine Cardno said  there was "absolutely no intention" to build an exclusive community, however, she said there were plans in place for a new headquarters and social programmes for the community.

Some reports have referred to the plans as a cult in action, with one concerned citizen saying the project set the potential for another Waco.