So why is there so much criticism?

Perhaps it’s because he’s been such a show-pony and revels in being in the public eye. But it seems there’s another factor at play – the Pakeha superiority complex, inherent in many mainstream organisations in New Zealand.

You see it in their approach to education, specifically in their condescending attitude to Te Wananga o Aotearoa. You see it in their approach to health, the media and across virtually all facets of New Zealand life.

I’ve asked my mates: If Brian Tamaki were Pakeha, would there be such a fuss?

Maybe he’s got a point. (He certainly has about the show-pony aspect!)

I had lunch today with a good friend of mine who wrote a book about tithing and he pointed to the Samoan churches as another example of the church leadership asking people to support the church’s fundraising efforts to the detriment of their parishioners’ well-being.

But is that a race thing?

It’s a cash cult, say Destiny’s walk-outs

By Vaimoana Tapaleao NZ Herald Wednesday Mar 3, 2010

Destiny Church has been attacked by former members who say it is nothing more than a money-making venture.

Dozens of ex-Destiny members contacted the Herald after yesterday’s story about dissension in the Brisbane branch.

More than half the Destiny Church in Brisbane – including its pastor, Andrew Stock – walked out of the service on Sunday, saying they believed the church was no longer following the Gospel.

Those who contacted the Herald supported the walkout, saying the church was a money-making cult.

“This incident is the closest we have come to getting a genuine ‘tell it like it is’ picture of the Destiny corporation,” a former member said.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10629591