The Life of Brian

I sat down with a degree of anticipation to watch the latest interpretation of the life of Bishop Brian Tamaki. I was disappointed. I later discovered the footage was dated - 2005 vintage which explained some of it. But mostly I was disappointed by the banal approach of Ross Jennings who's doco it was. An example makes the point:

Jennings commented on Tamaki's flame-decorated Harley: "That looks like a bike the devil would ride."

Tamaki: "What sort of a question is that, Ross?"

Jennings: "Do you feel as though you've got a monster between your legs?"

Tamaki: "Shucks, what sort of question is that?"

Silly stuff.

The shallow approach persisted throughout. Just when it was threatening to get interesting and informative Jennings moved on. For example, the structure of the Destiny trust board and the relationship of Tamaki inc and the Destiny Gym, Proton was briefly canvassed and then lost amidst another banal observation: you mean the church pays no tax on its tithes? Of course it doesn't you idiot - no church or charity is taxed on its donations. But you can bet the Tamakis pay their share of tax on any income they receive from the church. Both of which Jennings knows only too well.

What seemed to be coming from the Tamakis was they are shareholders in the company that runs the gym, completely separate from the church. Which is OK by me. And that Tamaki makes money off his books and things - which is also OK by me (although it is a matter of degree and personal taste how much one buys into this - he's certainly not alone though!)

The most interesting comments were the very learned and charitable comments by openly gay Christian academic Peter Lineham, who brought a deal of understanding to the table. Of particular interest to me were comments on the Maori and Pacific cultural elements to Tamaki's role-status. Only I couldn't decide who had the more flamboyant hair style - Tamaki or Lineham with his red dyed perm! Lineham also noted that tithing, reformed substance abusers would likely be much better off financially with Tamaki, even paying the tithe. The appearance of ex gang members with stories of reformation, repaired marriages and legit jobs reminded me that there are winners in the Tamaki story.

Tamaki showed just a little of the hurt he perhaps feels at his villification, with an amusing anecdote about being seated next to the late Maori Queen, forcing Helen Clark and other high brow Labourites to acknowledge him to their chagrin (as Tamaki tells it). He has a photo on the wall.

I found some of the church scenes a little disturbing. Perhaps just personal taste? Perhaps a concern at what could be interpreted as manipulation and play acting. Almost impossible to say. So I won't.

But all in all, a disappointment. I've met Tamaki on a number of occasions and enjoyed dealing with him. It seems to me the most real picture we saw of him from Ross Jennings was when he was hanging with his mates, out on the harbour fishing, and eating raw mussels off his bait knife. There's still a sense for me - you can take the boy out of Tokoroa, but you can't take Tokoroa out of the boy.