Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has pleaded not guilty to breaching bail and lockdown rules governing mass gatherings
Brian Tamaki appears via video link on charges of breaching bail. Photo: Screenshot
It is Mr Tamaki's second court appearance in relation to mass gatherings.
He was granted bail to appear before the Auckland District Court next year.
Judge Josephine Bouchier warned him if he was charged again, he "was in peril" of being remanded in custody.
Earlier today, police said Tamaki has been charged with failing to comply with an order (Covid-19) under the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act and Alert Level 3 Order and is also appearing before the court for breach of bail conditions.
They said the event on Saturday was in breach of the alert level 3 restrictions in place for Auckland.
"Our investigation into this gathering remains ongoing."
Brian Tamaki Photo: PhotoSport
Tamaki was taken into custody before appearing in court this afternoon.
Police were not ruling out further enforcement action at this stage.
Police have also laid charges against four people in relation to organising and attending mass gatherings in the upper North Island on 16 October.
In the Northland District, a 47-year-old man has been summoned to appear in the Whangārei District Court on 25 October in relation to organising a mass gathering at Mander Park.
The region was under alert level 3 at the time the gathering took place, police said.
Meanwhile, in the Waikato District two men have been summoned to appear in the Hamilton District Court in relation to a mass gathering at Claudelands Park, Hamilton on 16 October.
A 46-year-old man has been charged with failing to comply and is due to appear on 17 November.
And a 56-year-old man has been charged with organising a mass gathering and failing to comply and is due to appear on 16 November.
Police reminded people that there are restrictions in place for regions under alert level 3, which includes limits on gatherings to weddings, funeral and tangihanga with no more than 10 people.
"Enforcement action will be strongly considered for instances such as these which are in breach of the restrictions."
