The union for retail workers is slamming calls for people to ignore COVID-19 rules, calling it "public health terrorism".
The Freedom and Rights Coalition, which was founded by Brian Tamaki and Destiny Church, is calling for people to disobey the rules in protest of COVID restrictions and vaccine mandates. In a Facebook post the group urges people to rip down any signs asking for vaccine passes, refuse to wear face masks and "remove any safety equipment" which people come across in shops.
It comes as COVID cases soar with 19,566 new community cases reported on Tuesday. There are also 373 people in hospital - nine of whom are in intensive care.
The Freedom and Rights Coalition's calls have been met with heavy criticism.
FIRST Union, the union for retail workers, says they are idiotic, ignorant and appalling.
"Brian Tamaki’s calls to destroy the safeguards for our essential workers and their customers is as ignorant as it is misdirected," National Retail Organiser Ben Peterson said.
"If he was remotely serious about his political opposition to public health measures, he would be participating in the democratic political system."
Peterson said refusing to wear masks and ripping signs down punishes workers who have no control over the rules.
"He [Tamaki] is punishing some of the lowest-paid and most precarious workers in the country and putting their health at risk in order to virtue signal and throw a public tantrum when it should be obvious that retail workers have limited to no ability to make or change decisions on these measures."
He said ignoring health advice and putting people at risk is "public health terrorism".
"It is typical of Brian Tamaki to prey on the weak… Having failed to change the mind of decision-makers in politics, they are going to target retail workers instead, which is appalling and irresponsible.
"The NZ public supports retail workers, and every possible measure must be taken to protect them at a time when they need it most," he said.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Destiny Church told Newshub Brian Tamaki has had no part in the actions of The Freedoms and Right Coalition since his arrest in January 2022.
Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois said despite having no control over the rules, hospitality workers are already bearing the brunt of people's frustration.
"When it comes to the mask and scanning mandates, for the most part, diners and our workforce have been compliant. There are of course some exceptions to this and unfortunately it is our workforce that bears the brunt of diner frustration.
"Business owners, our workforce and diners all understand the frustration that the mandates are causing but there is no excuse for taking illegal action."
Bidois said the non-compliance will punish businesses that are simply trying to follow the law.
"Those that are anti-mandate need to continue to take their argument directly to the government and understand that those in the hospitality industry are doing what they are legally obliged to do in order to keep their businesses open and viable."
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said deliberately telling people to break the rules is "irresponsible".
It's really important… that we keep doing the things that have served us really well to date, and have meant that our death rates are one of the lowest in the world, and that is people keep getting vaccinated… do keep scanning, masks are incredibly important please keep using them to protect yourself and others and physical distancing," Bloomfield told media on Tuesday.
He also thanked all the Kiwi who are following the Ministry of Health's advice. He said the "small minority" of people who disagree with the COVID rules don't concern him because 97 percent of eligible New Zealanders have had at least one dose of the vaccine.
Brian Tamaki and the Freedom and Rights Coalition have been contacted for comment.
This article was amended on March 2 to reflect Bishop Brian Tamakis is no longer connected with the Freedom and Rights Coalition.
