Brian Tamaki has described his week-and-a-half long stint in prison last year as "shocking" and "horrible".
Tamaki was arrested in early 2022 for allegedly breaching his bail conditions after attending a protest gathering in Christchurch. After a subsequent court appearance, he was remanded in custody for 10 days before being released.
The Destiny Church founder and now-Freedoms NZ political party co-leader was facing charges relating to the COVID-19 Protection Public Health Order in place at the time.
In an interview with the NZ Herald, Tamaki described his time behind bars at Mt Eden Prison as "shocking" and "horrible", claiming he was put in solitary confinement with no windows or sunlight.
Tamaki told the Herald he was given food three times a day, which was handed to him through a slot.
While Tamaki was in prison, his supporters camped out nearby - accused by residents of revving motorbikes and being noisy until the early hours.
After being released, Tamaki was under house arrest and his wife Hannah joked she became "a prison guard".
"It meant I had to look after him. I had to be the prison warden," Hannah told the Herald.
Brian appeared before the courts three times in 2021 after speaking at events protesting COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates.
