23 Nov 2016

HRC receives 16 complaints about Brian Tamaki comments

2:24 pm on 23 November 2016

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has received 16 complaints about Brian Tamaki's comments about gay people being the cause of earthquakes.

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Brian Tamaki Photo: Supplied

The Destiny Church leader has been widely criticised for blaming recent earthquakes in New Zealand on "gays, sinners, and murderers" in a sermon.

Mr Tamaki's comments were made the day before the 7.8 magnitude quake hit the central east coast of New Zealand, killing two people, damaging dozens of properties and leaving Kaikōura cut off.

A HRC spokesperson confirmed to RNZ that it had received 16 complaints so far about his comments.

More than 55,000 people have signed a petition for Destiny Church to lose its tax-free status following the comments.

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