There's cross-party condemnation of Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki comparing immigrants with parasites, with Labour MP Willie Jackson saying he needs a "slap across the ears".
The controversial self-professed Bishop spoke at the interdenominational church service at Waitangi's Te Whare Rūnanga on Thursday and let rip on the Government, particularly on the issue of immigration and selling land to foreigners.
One of the most inflammatory comments was Tamaki's likening of immigrants to "termites and parasites" that "totally consume the host". He was suggesting immigrants coming to New Zealand were pushing Pakeha and Maori out of their homes.
Both senior National MP Judith Collins and Jackson condemned the comments.
"I saw him the night before last. I told him to behave because he does some good work for our community. It is a terrible thing to say. He needs a slap across the ears," Jackson told The AM Show.
"That sort of stuff is not helpful because immigrants make such a major contribution. Brian has got to learn to stop being, he is just trying to be provocative and get in the news. Anything Brian says gets up.
"I am sure he doesn't believe that. I just can't believe he said that sort of rubbish. It's just rubbish, nonsense."
Collins similarly said that while Brian and his wife Hannah - the leader of the VisionNZ political party - did good work in their community, the comment was inappropriate.
"I am disappointed to hear that was said... He shouldn't think it."
The remarks from Tamaki - who has regularly blasted the Muslim community - received criticism on Thursday from Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon who described them as utterly false.
The National MP said she couldn't be bothered with "aggressive" politics at Waitangi and ANZAC Day was New Zealand's national day for her.
"ANZAC Day, is to me, our national day because of the lack of politics on ANZAC day. If anyone starts to get political on ANZAC day they aren't invited to speak again," she said.
"I can't be bothered. I mean, honestly, it is so aggressive and it is so silly. I was at Ratana, as was Willie, and even though there is obviously some politics there, it is not nasty and there is no abuse and even if there is I can't understand a word of it so that's fine.
"People actually don't like aggressive politics."
But Jackson said Waitangi and politics go together.
"Waitangi was terrific and politics everywhere and [Simon Bridges] did a terrible speech and it is not about being political, it is how you do it, how do you actually win the crowd over and talk politics. Simon doesn't know how to do it. He stands up and insults everyone."
The Labour Minister is referring to a speech Bridges gave at the upper marae on Tuesday. In it, Bridges complemented the Waitangi Grounds before criticising the Prime Minister and the Government. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters wasn't meant to speak but chose to anyway, slamming Bridges for politicising the event.
It came after Bridges ruled out working with Winston Peters following the 2020 election.
