Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki is facing charges of inciting racial disharmony.
In a Facebook post, Tamaki said two police officers arrived at his South Auckland home to serve him with a summons to appear in the Manukau District Court. Tamaki was also livestreaming the visit.
Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Nelson confirmed officers were at an Auckland property to summons a person on three charges of inciting racial disharmony.
She said a 68-year-old man would appear in the Manukau District Court on October 19.
"Police is not in a position to comment on the specifics of this individual’s case as the matter is now before the court."
The charges are laid under the Human Rights Act, with consent to prosecute delegated to the Solicitor-General.
In practice, and by convention, consent is requested by the prosecuting agency to the Deputy Solicitor-General (Criminal) at Crown Law.
Tamaki shared that the charges related to dates between June 15 and June 21, saying it was when he was challenging Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over "human rights violations and the persecution of Christians in India".
"I believe these charges relate directly to my podcasts and public commentary concerning Modi. I intend to establish precisely which statements police are relying upon."
Tamaki claimed he had "never threatened anyone" and "never advocated violence against anyone".
"I have consistently challenged religious beliefs, religious practices and political leaders - NOT people because of their race," he said.
"I have Indian friends. I have people from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds in my church."
It comes after Tamaki's guns were seized by police in June, when he was served a firearms temporary licence suspension notice.
At the time, Superintendent Shanan Gray said: "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."
Earlier that month, Tamaki had made comments on social media, where he called for New Zealand to "purge" Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims.
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