Christchurch terror attack: Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki blames alleged shooter's actions on 'clash of cultures'

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has laid into New Zealand's Islamic community in an interview with Middle Eastern broadcaster Al Jazeera.

Tamaki courted controversy soon after the attacks on two Christchurch mosques where 51 people died, when he tweeted his anger at the Islamic call to prayer being broadcast during a ceremony to remember victims.

In April, Finance Minister Grant Robertson ridiculed Tamaki on Twitter, saying: "He [Tamaki] literally spends his entire time telling people (gays, Muslims et al) who they can't be."

In an interview with Al Jazeera's 101 East, Tamaki doubled down on the anti-Islam rhetoric.

"You're coming to my country, and therefore you respect the host country," he said.

"After a term in being here, you run your life and your values and your religion like you did where you came from - that's disingenuous to the foundations of the countries that have been built over [the] years."

Tamaki blamed a clash of cultures for the alleged shooter's actions.

"I think it's naive to think different cultures could happily and harmoniously live together," he told 101 East. "I think that's a bit naive and almost ignorant.

"The immigrations of new people that come in and grow, and they have firm beliefs and ideologies. Now we've seen the results of that."

He said this is where white supremacists have been "hurt" and become bitter.

Tamaki's no stranger to controversy. He's been vocal in the wake of the attack, and in April attacked the Government for its urgent gun law reforms and "limiting free speech".

History professor Peter Lineham said at the time of Tamaki's criticism of the call to prayer that it was typical of him.

"At times where other religious groups have claimed some sort of role in New Zealand society, he has regarded himself as the person who should stand out and defend them."

Last month, Tamaki launched a political party to be led by his wife, Hannah, called Coalition New Zealand

He promised the party would be a "vehicle" for the "silent majority" to express their beliefs.

Newshub.