John Campbell Destiny Church: Under His Command Investigation

Few documentary series arrive with the kind of tension that John Campbell’s Under His Command carries. Since its first season aired in April 2025, the investigation into Destiny Church has pulled back a curtain on a world many New Zealanders know only by its loudest public moments, revealing a level of fear Campbell says he had never witnessed before in decades of journalism.

Investigation series: Under His Command ·
First season episodes: 5 ·
Seasons released: 2 (as of September 2025) ·
Broadcaster: TVNZ+ ·
Destiny Church founded: 1998 ·
Headquarters: Auckland, New Zealand

Here are the key facts the investigation has brought to light.

What Is John Campbell Doing Now?

• Current investigative work: John Campbell has spent months investigating Destiny Church, resulting in the two-season series Under His Command on TVNZ+ (TVNZ YouTube trailer).
• Background on John Campbell’s career: Campbell is a veteran New Zealand broadcaster known for journalism across TVNZ and other outlets (1News).

The second season of Under His Command was released in September 2025, indicating his focus remains on this story. The implication: Campbell appears committed to a sustained investigation that goes beyond a single documentary series.

Is Destiny Church Still Going?

• Current status of the church: Destiny Church remains active in New Zealand, with Brian Tamaki continuing as its leader. The church’s public presence has not diminished despite media scrutiny (1News).
• Recent news and controversies: The church has faced legal and media attention, including Campbell’s investigation. A 1News article described Destiny as occupying “a small but loud fundamentalist corner” of New Zealand’s religious culture (1News).

What this means: Destiny Church is not going away, but its reputation is increasingly under the microscope. The trade-off between maintaining a loyal base and facing external accountability is now more visible than ever.

How Many Members Does Destiny Church Have?

• Reported membership numbers: Estimates range from 1,500 to 2,000 active members. No official figure has been released by the church. The 1News article notes the church has “small but loud” influence (1News).
• Growth and decline trends: Destiny Church operates multiple congregations across New Zealand. Membership has fluctuated, with some former members leaving after the investigation’s revelations.

The pattern: precise numbers are elusive because the church does not publish membership data. However, the consistent estimate of 1,500–2,000 suggests a tight-knit community rather than a mass movement.

What Is the John Campbell Destiny Church Documentary About?

• Overview of Under His Command: The series investigates the internal workings of Destiny Church, focusing on control, financial structures, and the role of fear. It includes interviews with former members and whistleblowers (1News).
• Key findings and interviews: Campbell conducted more than 20 interviews with current or former members. The investigation found a culture ranging from “antiquated patriarchy to violence and coercion” (1News).
• Impact on public perception: The series has increased scrutiny of Destiny Church and prompted broader conversations about religious groups in New Zealand.

Why this matters: the documentary does not just report allegations; it presents testimony from people who lived inside the system. For viewers, it’s a rare window into a closed world.

Who Are the Key Figures in Destiny Church?

• Brian Tamaki: Founder and leader of Destiny Church, founded in 1998. He remains the central figure (1News).
• Hannah Tamaki: Co-leader, married to Brian, with three publicly known children. She plays a prominent role in the church’s public image (1News).
• John Campbell: The lead investigator and broadcaster behind the series, a veteran journalist with decades of experience at TVNZ (1News).

The catch: the investigation’s credibility rests heavily on whether these key figures are willing to engage. Brian Tamaki has not publicly responded in depth to the series’ claims.

Timeline of the Investigation

• 1998: Destiny Church founded by Brian Tamaki in Auckland (1News)
• 2024: John Campbell begins investigating Destiny Church after an unexpected phone call in February (1News)
• April 2025: First season of Under His Command released on TVNZ+ (TVNZ YouTube trailer)
• September 2025: Second season of Under His Command released (TVNZ YouTube trailer)

The pattern: the timeline shows a concentrated period of investigation and publication, suggesting a deliberate strategy of releasing findings in phases.

Key Quotes from the Investigation

“I’ve never talked to so many people as afraid as the women I encountered in this investigation.”

— John Campbell, quoted in 1News

“He encountered fear from insiders he had ‘never seen before’ during the investigation.”

— TVNZ trailer description of Campbell’s experience, TVNZ YouTube trailer

For Destiny Church, the documentary series has opened a door that cannot be shut. For viewers, the question is no longer about belief but about accountability. John Campbell’s work presents a clear challenge: will the church address the allegations directly, or will it continue to operate behind a wall of silence? For former members watching, the series may be the first time their stories are taken seriously.

John Campbell’s investigation sheds light on the church’s controversial history, including the Destiny Church protests in Auckland that have drawn police attention.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Breakfast Presenter Jenny-May Clarkson Blooper (NZ Journal)
• TV Guide New Zealand (NZ Journal)