Brian Tamaki to remain in custody for 10 days after bail application refused

Hannah and Brian Tamaki emerge from their house this morning as police arrest Brian Tamaki -...
Hannah and Brian Tamaki emerge from their house this morning as police arrest Brian Tamaki - believed to be over an alleged breach of bail conditions. Photo: David Fisher via NZ Herald
Brian Tamaki's bail application has been refused after being arrested at home this morning.

The Destiny Church leader appeared at Auckland District Court via audio-visual link.

Tamaki will be remanded in custody until January 27. He did not make any response as the judge handed down his decision.

He has been remanded in custody to Mt Eden Prison.

The judge said the only information which can be reported from today's bail hearing is the outcome.

Tamaki was dressed in black during the hearing, sitting in a white room. It is not yet known what he is charged with.

Tamaki remained motionless and expressionless throughout the hearing.

There have been allegations that Tamaki breached bail conditions by speaking at a January anti-vaccine rally in Christchurch which was attended by more than 100 people - more than allowed under the traffic light system.

As part of his bail conditions, Tamaki is not allowed to "organise or attend any protests in breach of any Covid-19 level requirement".

The 63-year-old has previously been charged three times over his attendance at Auckland Domain lockdown protests. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including allegations he violated the conditions of his bail.

Tamaki and his wife Hannah posted a Facebook live video this morning at their home, announcing he was about to be arrested.

Brian Tamaki said he was speaking up on behalf of businesses and other individuals who had been hurt or affected by vaccination mandates.

"People think I keep breaching my bail conditions, I've always said I'm not guilty," he said.

"For all of those who say 'book him, send him off to jail', you don't understand about why this has happened and I should never have been charged in the first place thank you."

And he said he may become the country's first political prisoner should he be jailed later today.

The livestream continued as Tamaki was arrested with supporters on a motorbike following the police car's journey to Mt Eden remand centre where he was greeted by more than 50 people, who blocked police entry to perform a haka.