The Destiny Church has moved to establish itself as an Urban Maori Authority, putting it in line for Government funding.
The church, which opposes civil unions and the anti-smacking law, wants to involve itself in sectors such as health and education to help Maori and Pacific Islanders.
It's met the National Urban Maori Authority, which has signalled its support and is due to discuss the church's membership further over the coming days.
Destiny vice chair George Ngatai, says the church has proved itself capable of turning around the lives of troubled Maori.
He says the authority is already a legal entity.
However, a former Waitangi Tribunal director, Morrie Love, says the move is very unusual and the authority will have to ensure it serves Maori without any bias.
