Destiny Church may get funding for new school

DESTINY LEADER: Bishop Brian Tamaki.

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Destiny Church could receive money from the public purse if it establishes a charter school as part of a proposed new complex in South Auckland, an education union says.

At a New Year's Eve service in Rotorua Pastor Brian Tamaki told his congregation the church had been granted permission to build schools, a university and a large auditorium on a block of land at Wiri.

The school would cater to year one to 13 with a maximum roll of 350 pupils.

Students would be shifted from privately-run Destiny School which operates from the church's Mt Wellington headquarters.

New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI) national secretary Paul Goulter said as a charter school, Destiny's school could run as it did privately but with funding from the public rather than parents.

The controversial plan for charter schools was agreed upon as part of the confidence and supply deal between National and ACT following last year's election.

Neither party campaigned on the issue and critics say the Government has no mandate to pass legislation.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has hit back at critics saying they are yet to see details of the Government's plan, saying she has already been "accosted" by principals wanting to sign up.

Goulter did not know if Destiny Church planned to open a charter school, but said it would be an attractive option for the institution.

He said NZEI opposed charter schools because they would draw money out of the public school system to fund private interest groups like Destiny.

Meanwhile, Tertiary Education Union president Sandra Grey said she did not believe Destiny Church would be able to get university status for its higher level education offerings.

Under the Education Act only eight institutions qualify as universities in New Zealand.

"Our public universities all provide accredited evidence-based high-quality public education. That is what New Zealanders expect when they hear the term 'university'," Grey said.

"In all likelihood Mr Tamaki's 'university' will do none of those things."

Grey said Destiny Church would be able to offer qualifications or certificates by running its programme through an international university or creating a private training establishment.

Destiny Church will reportedly be allowed to lease the 10-acre block of land at Wiri from December.

According to plans submitted to Auckland Council, the complex will be built in an existing warehouse on the property and will include a gym, hairdressers and administration offices in addition to educational and religious facilities.

The church reportedly has the option of buying the Druces Rd property, valued at $7.65 million, once it has sold its Mt Wellington headquarters.

Destiny Church could not be contacted for comment.

- © Fairfax NZ News