Residents of the Auckland suburb of Mt Eden are becoming increasingly frustrated at supporters of Brian Tamaki who have camped outside the prison.
The controversial Destiny Church leader is remanded in custody at the Mt Eden Corrections Facility until January 27 after his bail application was refused earlier this week.
His supporters flocked to the area on Monday after his arrest and have been camped out ever since.
Residents in a nearby apartment block of the prison are complaining of late-night noise, intimidation, and unhygienic behaviour. There are tents pitched along the footpath, a sound system blaring music that's heard in neighbouring suburbs, and plenty of revving motorbikes - including as late as 12:30am.
The locals have had enough of Tamaki's protesters.
"They are intimidating half the residents of the apartment block because they have to confront, each time they go out, the Tamaki mob," one resident, who doesn't want to be identified, tells Newshub.
The protest is a show of support for Tamaki who is in prison after allegedly breaching his bail conditions three times. He is facing charges over an anti-lockdown mass-gathering at Auckland's Domain during lockdown last October.
Residents say complaints to council and police haven't gone anywhere, and that some behaviour has been unhygienic.
"Seeing some of this mob use bushes around existing premises to do their business because there are obviously no toilets available," the local says.
Local businesses told Newshub that some protesters have been sneaking in and using bathrooms. Other protesters have been showing vaccine passes as if they were customers, but then only using the bathroom.
Most said it's been inconvenient and they are worried customers have been blocked.
Tamaki is jailed until his next court appearance in one week, which could mean another week of protests.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff told Newshub people have the right to protest but there will be consequences if they break the law.
