Brian Tamaki claims guns seized ahead of Modi visit to NZ

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has claimed his guns were seized ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit next week.

On Thursday, Tamaki shared a notice he received from the Firearms Safety Authority on social media that suggested he was no longer considered to be a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearm.

The notice said the decision to seize the weapons and temporarily suspend his firearms licence was due to remarks he had made in a video posted on social media that incited violence against Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims in New Zealand.

In a social media post on Thursday, Tamaki claimed his guns had been seized because the government and police were seeking to please India ahead of Modi's visit.

Modi is scheduled to make his first visit to New Zealand as prime minister from 10-11 July.

Tamaki shared the firearms safety notice he received from police on Facebook, describing it as a "diplomatic love letter".

"Police consider your published video freely available to any person to view, and in light of your large and established following, and significant public profile, constitutes the encouragement and promotion of violent action and significant property damage," the notice said.

Earlier in the week, superintendent Shanan Gray told RNZ that police served a temporary firearms licence suspension notice at an Auckland property.

"Police is not in a position to comment on the specifics of this individual's case," Gray said at the time.

"A person's licence can be temporarily suspended while the firearms regulator investigates further, to ensure the licence holder remains 'fit and proper' to possess a firearm."

Tamaki has vowed to challenge the temporary firearms suspension order.

The Firearms Safety Authority notice was purportedly issued after Tamaki made remarks in a video on social media that called for New Zealand to "purge" Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims in response to what he claimed was the persecution of Christians in India under Modi.

"I think we should reciprocate in kind," he said before suggesting New Zealand should be "purged" of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims and that mosques and temples should be destroyed.

The comments drew widespread condemnation from ethnic and religious community leaders, including the Federation of the Islamic Associations of New Zealand, the New Zealand Central Sikh Association and the New Zealand Indian Central Association.

Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell described Tamaki's comments as the "actions of a scared bully", while Race Relations Commissioner Melissa Derby said she was "utterly appalled".

Tamaki denied inciting violence or engaging in hate speech.

"I never incite violence," Tamaki said.

"Anyone who watches my full podcast can clearly see my tone, context and intent. I was making a political argument using strong language to passionately expose the horrific acts happening in India."

Tamaki also rejected claims his remarks amounted to hate speech.

"Passionate speech is not hate speech," he said.

"When I use the word 'purge', I am referring to deportation, not violence. I believe people who choose to immigrate to New Zealand should assimilate into the Kiwi way of life, not seek to change it. Mass immigration without assimilation is destroying New Zealand."

Last week, a collective of ethnic, faith and community leaders wrote to MPs with a call for politicians to get behind laws aimed at curbing hate speech and incitement to violence.

Political parties on both sides of the aisle have adopted mixed positions on calls for them to amend hate speech legislation.

Police told RNZ its inquiries remained ongoing, and they were unable to comment further.

"We are unable to comment on an individual case," said Laura Searancke, director of regulatory compliance and investigations at the Firearms Safety Authority.

"However, speaking generally, decisions about whether a person is fit and proper to possess a firearm are based on an extensive set of circumstances outlined in section 24A of the Arms Act."