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Billy Te Kahika

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Billy Te Kahika Jr
Leader of the New Zealand Public Party
In office
June 2020 – 19 February 2021
Co-leader of Advance NZ
In office
6 August 2020 – 26 October 2020
Co-leading with Jami-Lee Ross
Personal details
Born (1972-07-18) 18 July 1972 (age 52)
ParentBilly TK

William Desmond Te Kahika Jr (born 18 July 1972),[1] also known as Billy TK Jr,[2] is a New Zealand conspiracy theorist, blues musician and former political candidate.[2][3][4] During the 2020 New Zealand general election, Te Kahika attracted media coverage both as the leader of the fringe New Zealand Public Party and for his promulgation of conspiracy theories.[4][5][6][7][8] Te Kahika and the Public Party opposed the New Zealand Government's lockdown restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][7]

Te Kahika, who lives in Whangārei, is the son of musician Billy TK.[2][3][4]

Early life and musical career

[edit]

Billy Te Kahika Jr is the son of Māori musician Wiremu Te Kahika, also known as Billy TK, who played with the New Zealand rock band The Human Instinct.[4][9] Te Kahika Jr's mother is Pākehā. He grew up in Māngere, Auckland.[10] Te Kahika followed in his father's footsteps and became a guitarist; like his father he was also called the "Māori Hendrix" by some.[4][9] Since 1993, he has toured internationally, performing with artists such as George Thorogood, Jimmy Barnes, The Neville Brothers, Ian Moss, Junior Wells, Little Willy Foster, and Joe Satriani. He has performed at festivals, including the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival and the Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival. He also led a band called "The Groove Shakers."[9][11][12]

Te Kahika joined the New Zealand Army as he wanted to be an SAS soldier but served as a private in the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment between September 2001 and January 2003.[1] During that time he attended military intelligence courses.[13] According to the Stuff Circuit documentary "False Profit," Te Kahika left the army after he was involved in a drunken brawl sparked by when he allegedly verbally insulted a colleague with a speech impediment.[1]

Following his stint in the army, he trained as a police recruit in Porirua between May and July 2003.[13] Te Kahika claimed that he left the New Zealand Police after they overlooked his admission that he had been caught smoking glue at the age of 16 years. Te Kahika alleged that the police did not want him to report that two police officers who had covered up his glue smoking incident. Based on this experience, Te Kahika claimed that the New Zealand Government was corrupt. According to the Stuff Circuit documentary "False Profit", he was eliminated from the police training programme since he had supplied false identification that did not match his fingerprints. The documentary also questioned Te Kahika's claim that he had served full-time in the police in 2003.[1]

According to "False Profit," Te Kahika was also involved in a financial dispute with the organisers of the 2013 Queenstown Jazz Festival. The festival proved to be unprofitable with Te Kahika left with significant debts. Te Kahika alleged that the organisers had attempted to take advantage of his brand.[1] According to the musicians Petra Rjinbeek and Maggie Cocco, Te Kahika bullied fellow musicians and neglected to pay them for their gigs and expenses.[14][1] Both Coco and Rjinbeek also alleged that Te Kahika, who identifies as a Christian, was sexually promiscuous and harassed women.[1]

In July 2016, Te Kahika announced plans to host a festival in the Northland Region, establishing a company called the World Indigenous Festival New Zealand with himself as its CEO. The venture received the support of Helen Clark, the former New Zealand Prime Minister and the head of the United Nations Development Programme.[15] Several taxpayer-funded bodies invested in the festival, including Te Puni Kōkiri and Sport New Zealand each invested $20,000. The festival, scheduled to take place in 2019, did not go ahead. Sport NZ and Auckland Council's economic growth agency ATEED later stated that they did not give Te Kahika permission to use their corporate logos in material pitching their support.[14][1]

In the summer of 2018/19, Te Kahika and Irish vocalist Ronan Kavanagh toured Northland as part of the AA Solar Summer Music Series.[12] In November 2018, Te Kahika and his father played at the Old Parakao Store Cafe/Bar in Pakotai.[16] In October 2019, Te Kahika held a "Road to Chicago" tour across New Zealand as a warm-up to his tour of the United States in early 2020.[17] Between January and mid-February 2020, he toured the United States, performing with blues guitarist and singer Buddy Guy in Chicago on 13 January.[2][3][17]

Political career

[edit]

Founding of the New Zealand Public Party

[edit]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, Te Kahika founded the New Zealand Public Party, which was launched on 11 June 2020.[18] The Public Party campaigned against the Government's COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 and opposed the United Nations, 5G technology, 1080 poison, fluoridation, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and electromagnetics.[19][20][21] Te Kahika spread misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging that the pandemic would enable globalist leaders to implement UN agendas that would subjugate people, and that billionaires had developed weaponised viruses and patented treatments for these viruses to enslave humanity.[18] According to media reports, Te Kahika had researched fringe ideas circulating on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. His social media posts and live broadcasts were initially circulated for his Facebook friends, but gained a wider following and reached 30,000 views by May 2020. The popular reception to these broadcasts inspired him to found the Public Party.[4][21]

Since the Public Party had missed the deadline to register with the Electoral Commission for the 2020 New Zealand general election, Te Kahika attempted to merge his party with Hannah Tamaki's Vision NZ and the New Zealand Outdoors Party but was unsuccessful.[22] On 26 July 2020, the Public Party announced an electoral alliance with independent Member of Parliament Jami-Lee Ross' Advance New Zealand party. Under this coalition arrangement, Te Kahika and Ross became co-leaders of the merged party. Te Kahika contested the Māori electorate of Te Tai Tokerau and had the top list ranking on Advance's list.[20][23][24]

In early August 2020, Te Kahika urged his party's supporters not to abuse the Outdoors Party's leadership after the Outdoors Party had rejected an offer to merge with the Public Party in April. However, he also alleged that the Outdoors Party's supporters had been abusive towards the Public Party.[25] Following a second outbreak of COVID-19 community transmission in Auckland, Te Kahika participated in an anti-lockdown protest in Aotea Square that had been organised by Facts NZ and the Kotahitanga Movement Aotearoa.[26] On 16 August, his Public Party was recognised by the Electoral Commission as a component party of Advance New Zealand.[27]

Election campaigning and opposition to lockdown

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On 12 September 2020, Te Kahika and fellow Advance NZ co-leader Ross took part in a "National Rally for Freedom" rally in Auckland's Aotea Square opposing the Government's COVID-19 lockdown, which attracted thousands of people.[28]

In October 2020 it was revealed that Te Kahika's paid weekly interviews with New Zealand conspiracy theorist Vinny Eastwood had violated electoral law as they did not include a legally-required promoter statement. The Electoral Commission took no action as Te Kahika's sponsorship had been disclosed.[29]

Election results and post-election events

[edit]

The 2020 general election was held on 17 October. Te Kahika came fourth in the Te Tai Tokerau electorate, with 1,349 votes; the seat was won by incumbent Labour Member of Parliament Kelvin Davis.[30] The Advance NZ coalition gained one percent of the party vote (28,429 party votes), well below the five percent level needed to enter Parliament,[31] so Te Kahika was not elected to Parliament.

Following the election, Te Kahika alleged that it had been rigged and that Advance NZ ballots had been disqualified because voters added comments or smiley faces to their ballots. He also claimed that 200,000 votes had not been properly counted. He refused to accept the election result and said he planned a tally of Advance voters to prove the official process was corrupt. The Electoral Commission disputed Te Kahika's allegations that adding comments to a ballot would invalidate them and rejected his allegation about the 200,000 lost votes.[32] In a later post, he said that his figure of 200,000 was a mistake but stuck to his claim that Advance voters' ballots had been disqualified for writing comments and drawing smiley faces on them.[33]

On 26 October, Te Kahika severed ties with Advance NZ after its election failure, stating that he had decided not to continue with the party.[34][35] Later that day, he issued a statement clarifying that he was not severing relations with Advance NZ but was rather restoring its "autonomy." Te Kahika also vowed not to step down as party leader and reiterated his support for Advance NZ.[36]

In mid-November 2020, Newsroom and Newshub reported that Te Kahika and his NZ Public Party were locked in a dispute with Advance NZ over the ownership of party policies and access to funds within an ASB Bank account. On 6 November, Ross sent a letter to Te Kahika and the NZ Public Party claiming that the policies that the parties had co-written were owned and copyrighted by Advance NZ. In addition, the NZ Public Party claimed that the ASB account was a shared account while Advance NZ's lawyer Graeme Edgeler contended that the account belonged to them. Ross also threatened Te Kahika with legal action in response to the latter's claims that Ross and his party committed theft and misconduct.[37][38]

On 14 January 2021, Te Kahika led a "freedom rally" outside the New Zealand Parliament. The rally opposed the Government's COVID-19 lockdown, 1080 usage, water fluoridation, Communist China, and the United Nations, and expressed support for United States President Donald Trump. The rally was attended by between 100 and 150 people with Te Kahika being accompanied by private security.[39][40]

On 19 February, Te Kahika announced the dissolution of the NZ Public Party, which he had briefly renamed the Freedom Party, but vowed to continue his activist work via social media.[41][42]

In December 2021, Te Kahika criticised other groups and leaders opposing the Government's COVID-19 restrictions in a video livestream, alleging there was dissension within the movement. He claimed that Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki would use his The Freedoms & Rights Coalition (TFRC) to recruit people into his church. Te Kahika also criticised the anti-vaccination group Voices for Freedom and farmer advocacy organisation Groundswell NZ for allowing only approved messaging on protest signs. He criticised Groundswell for suppressing anti-vaccination messages at their marches. Tamaki disputed Te Kahika's claims there were dissension within the anti-lockdown movement and denied that he was trying to recruit people into his church. A Groundswell spokesperson emphasised that the organisation was focusing on advocating for farmers and rural New Zealanders and denied Te Kahika's claim that the group was aligned with the National Party.[43]

2021 Anti-lockdown protest

[edit]

On 18 August 2021, Te Kahika led an anti-lockdown protest outside the TVNZ headquarters in the Auckland CBD that was attended by anti-lockdown activists and COVID-19 deniers. Arrested 43 minutes into his rally, he asked police to take him away as soon as possible to reduce the chance of his assorted supporters causing trouble.[44][45] The following day, Te Kahika pleaded not guilty to two charges of violating the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 and one charge under the Search and Surveillance Act in relation to an anti-lockdown protest in Auckland held on 18 August.[46] In September 2021, he was granted a variation in his bail conditions to allow him to continue his online sermons.[47]

In April 2022, Te Kahika and his co-accused Vinny Eastwood pleaded not guilty to breaching COVID-19 alert level 4 lockdown restrictions banning public gatherings. The defendants opted for a judge-only trial scheduled for 23 August 2022.[48] On 23 August, Te Kahika and Eastwood's trial at the Auckland District Court began with Justice Peter Winter presiding. Police submitted social media videos of Te Kahika encouraging people to join the protest.[49] Following a three day trial, Justice Winter convicted Te Kahika and Eastwood of violating COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on 16 December 2022. He also rejected their argument that their protest was protected by the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.[50][51]

On 30 March 2023 Te Kahika was sentenced to four months imprisonment, and Eastwood was sentenced to three months. The two men were subsequently granted bail pending an appeal to the High Court.[52] The two men appealed their convictions and sentences. On 22 December 2023, Judge Neil Campbell of the Auckland High Court upheld their convictions but overturned their sentences, ordering that Te Kahika and Eastwood be convicted and discharged.[53]

2020 election misconduct charges

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In September 2021 Te Kahika was charged with filing false electoral donation returns and obtaining $15,000 by deception.[54] Name suppression lapsed and he was identified in October 2021.[55][56]

Community involvement and public image

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Between 2009 and 2010, Te Kahika was involved with Holden's "Driving Towards a Future" programme, which sought to educate young drivers about road safety issues like drink driving, speeding and personal responsibility.[57][58] Between August and October 2011, Te Kahika led a music tour to help The Salvation Army raise funds for families affected by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.[11] In October 2019, Te Kahika organised a special benefit concert to raise support for Auckland's homeless community called the "Blues For the Homeless," which played in Milford.[17]

Until late August 2020, Te Kahika served as an ambassador for the anti-domestic violence charity White Ribbons. Following his controversial remarks about COVID-19 and other issues, White Ribbons severed relations with Te Kahika on the grounds that his remarks undermined the trust's evidence-based approach. This suspension accompanied an Advance NZ/NZ Public Party video falsely alleging that the New Zealand Government had passed legislation forcing people to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Te Kahika defended his remarks and stance, claiming that the Government was corrupt and that COVID-19 was "nothing worse than a flu." Te Kahika also alleged that he was the target of an international assassin.[59][60]

As leader of the NZ Public Party, Te Kahika advocated on behalf of a woman known as "L.K.," who was imprisoned in late August after she and her children breached managed isolation in Hamilton to attend her husband's funeral. Te Kahika described her as a "brave and courageous woman" who had "touched" his heart through her experience. He also claimed that he had lobbied the Government into releasing her after seven days.[28]

An investigation by Stuff Circuit, reported in October 2020, found that Te Kahika had misrepresented the New Zealand Government as backing a feasibility study to install solar power in 20 hotels in Samoa.[14][1] In addition, Te Kahika unsuccessfully attempted to solicit NZ$30,000 from a businessman to establish an investment bank in Samoa.[1] In January 2021 news website "thisquality" reported that Billy Te Kahika used a $200,000 loan given to him for a housing project for the homeless to instead purchase a Land Rover Discovery and fund his political movement, and that Te Kahika had admitted being under investigation over the matter.[61][62][63]

Personal life

[edit]

At age 21, Te Kahika was baptised as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He later joined the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement, and was re-baptised by the denomination on 13 December 2014, aged 42.[64]

Views and positions

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According to University of Otago religion scholar Deane Galbraith, Te Kahika's conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and the New World Order are rooted in evangelical Christian End Times theology. Te Kahika's opposition to the alleged "New World Order" has led him to support US President Donald Trump.[65]

In June 2020, Te Kahika made remarks in a Facebook Live video criticising the formation of Israel and propagating conspiracy theories related to the Rothschild family and Jewish control over the global financial system. In addition, he also claimed that Zionism was the "rape and infiltration" of Jewish identity and religion and described Judaism as a "Satanic deception." The New Zealand Jewish Council spokesperson Juliet Moses, Jewish spiritual leader Yaakov Brown, sociologist Paul Spoonley, and historian Sheree Trotter have criticised Te Kahika for promoting anti-Semitism.[66][67][68]

Notes and references

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "False Profit". Stuff. 12 October 2020. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Dinsdale, Mike (27 September 2019). "Whangārei bluesman Billy TK Jnr to play with Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Billy TK Jr and Chicago blues legends plan cultural exchange". Te Ao – Maori News. 15 February 2020. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "The conspiracists; election: How the farthest fringes of politics are making a play for the centre". Stuff. 31 July 2020. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  5. ^ Peters, Mark (8 July 2020). "Global 'plandemic'". Gisborne Herald. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  6. ^ Daalder, Marc (9 September 2020). "Have Covid-19 conspiracy theories evolved?". Newsroom.
  7. ^ a b Braae, Alex (3 August 2020). "The Bulletin: The rapid rise to prominence of Billy Te Kahika Jr". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  8. ^ Thompson Fuller, Taylor (30 July 2020). "Misleading claim spreads online that New Zealand has authorised troops to enter homes to enforce COVID-19 quarantine". AFP. Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  9. ^ a b c Beal, Sonia (18 January 2013). "'Maori Hendrix' to play Picton". The Marlborough Express. Stuff. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  10. ^ "NZPP Executive Board". New Zealand Public Party. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  11. ^ a b Timoti, Rani (22 September 2011). "Singing the blues for Christchurch". Norwest News; Stuff. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Billy TK Jnr and Irish vocalist Ronan Kavanagh to rock Northland on summer tour". The New Zealand Herald. The Northern Advocate. 1 December 2018. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  13. ^ a b Van Beynen, Martin (5 August 2020). "Doubts about Billy Te Kahika Jr's military and police background claims". Stuff. Archived from the original on 22 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  14. ^ a b c Paula Penfold and Louisa Cleave (12 October 2020). "Election 2020: Billy Te Kahika campaigns on truth. But does he live by it?". Stuff. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  15. ^ Dinsdale, Mark (5 July 2016). "Musician's idea hits right note". The New Zealand Herald. The Northern Advocate. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Guitar heroes Billy TK and Billy TK Jnr to play together in Northland". The New Zealand Herald. The Northern Advocate. 25 October 2018. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  17. ^ a b c "Billy TK Jnr takes on the street blues". Waatea News.com. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 30 September 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  18. ^ a b "New Zealand Public Party kicks off". Māori Television. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Jami-Lee Ross' newly formed alliance with NZ Public Party aims to repeal Govt's Covid-19 Response Bill". 1 News. 26 July 2020. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Ex-National MP Jami-Lee Ross joins forces with controversial party in hope of forming a new Alliance party". The New Zealand Herald. 26 July 2020. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  21. ^ a b Rachel Sadler (26 July 2020). "NZ Election 2020: New Zealand Public Party's policies". Newshub. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  22. ^ "Public Party praying for electoral lifeline". Waatea News. 16 July 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  23. ^ Thomas Coughlan (26 July 2020). "Jami-Lee Ross looks to Te Tai Tokerau as he plots journey back to Parliament". Stuff. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  24. ^ Marc Daalder (26 July 2020). "Jami-Lee Ross hitches wagon to conspiracy theorists". Newsroom. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  25. ^ Vance, Andrea (1 August 2020). "Fringe party leader alleges campaign of harassment by Billy TK supporters". Stuff. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  26. ^ Pearse, Adam (13 August 2020). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Lockdown protest stops traffic in Whangārei". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 16 August 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  27. ^ "Component party recorded for The Advance New Zealand Party". Electoral Commission. 16 August 2020. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Advance Party and crowd rallies against Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns". The New Zealand Herald. 12 September 2020. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  29. ^ Marc Daalder (16 October 2020). "Billy TK paid $1000 a month for interviews with conspiracy theorist". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  30. ^ "Te Tai Tokerau - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  31. ^ "2020 General Election and Referendums - Official Result". Electoral Commission. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  32. ^ Burrows, Matt (19 October 2020). "Electoral Commission rubbishes Billy Te Kahika's claims Advance NZ a victim of 'rigged election', 'disqualified votes'". Newshub. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  33. ^ Burrows, Matt (20 October 2020). "NZ Election 2020: Billy Te Kahika Jr admits '200,000 disqualified vote' figure was nonsense, doubles down on debunked 'smiley face' theory". Newshub. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  34. ^ Orsman, Bernard (26 October 2020). "Billy Te Kahika quits Advance NZ party". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  35. ^ "Billy Te Kahika quits Advance NZ party". Newshub. 26 October 2020. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  36. ^ Orsman, Bernard (26 October 2020). "Billy Te Kahika quits Advance NZ party". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  37. ^ Jennings, Mark (17 November 2020). "Jami-Lee and Billy's divorce: Who gets the money?". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  38. ^ Burrows, Matt (18 November 2020). "Jami-Lee Ross, Billy Te Kahika locked in ugly money dispute after Advance NZ's split from Public Party". Newshub. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  39. ^ Walls, Jason (14 January 2021). "Police keeping a close eye on controversial Billy TK 'freedom rally' outside Beehive". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  40. ^ "Billy Te Kahika spreads Covid-19 misinformation at Parliament rally". Radio New Zealand. 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  41. ^ "Billy Te Kahika quits politics, shuts down New Zealand Public Party". Radio New Zealand. 19 February 2021. Archived from the original on 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  42. ^ "Freedom Party leader Billy Te Kahika says he is quitting politics". The New Zealand Herald. 19 February 2021. Archived from the original on 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  43. ^ "Billy Te Kahika sows discord among COVID-19 'freedom' groups as he lashes out at Brian Tamaki, Voices for Freedom". Newshub. 14 December 2021. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  44. ^ "Covid-19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Billy TK arrested at anti-lockdown protest in Auckland". The New Zealand Herald. 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  45. ^ "Conspiracy theorist Billy TK arrested at anti-lockdown protest". Radio New Zealand. 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  46. ^ "Billy Te Kahika pleads not guilty to charges after anti-lockdown protest". Radio New Zealand. 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  47. ^ Owen, Catrin (7 September 2021). "Conspiracy theorist Billy Te Kahika Jr can resume online sermons after arrest". Stuff. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  48. ^ Owen, Catrin (22 April 2022). "Conspiracy theorist Billy Te Kahika will face trial after lockdown protest". Stuff. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  49. ^ Masilamani, Kethaki (23 August 2022). "Billy Te Kahika Jr and Vincent Eastwood appear in court over breaching COVID orders". Newshub. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  50. ^ Kapitan, Craig (16 December 2022). "Covid 19 lockdown breach trial: Billy TK, Vincent Eastwood guilty of illegal protest". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  51. ^ Williams, Caroline (16 December 2022). "Billy Te Kahika, Vinny Eastwood guilty of organising protest during Covid lockdown". Stuff. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  52. ^ Owen, Catrin (30 March 2023). "Conspiracy theorist Billy Te Kahika jailed after organising Covid-19 protest". Stuff. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  53. ^ Kapitan, Craig; Fisher, David (22 December 2023). "Billy Te Kahika's prison sentence for COVID-19 lockdown protest overturned on appeal". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  54. ^ "Man accused of filing false electoral donations, obtaining by deception". Stuff. 1 September 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  55. ^ Cate Owen (4 October 2021). "Billy Te Kahika faces jury trial for filing false electoral donations and obtaining by deception". Stuff. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  56. ^ "Billy Te Kahika Jr to have jury trial for fraud, Electoral Act charges". The New Zealand Herald. 3 October 2021. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  57. ^ Neale, Imogen (29 May 2009). "Drive to survive". Manukau Courier. Stuff. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  58. ^ Williams, Nicola (9 April 2010). "Horror crash drives campaign". Stuff. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  59. ^ Weekes, John (28 August 2020). "Billy TK Junior terminated as White Ribbon ambassador after complaints". Stuff. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  60. ^ "Jami-Lee Ross refuses to remove vaccination video despite concerns it's misleading". 1 News. 28 August 2020. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  61. ^ "Billy Te Kahika's $160,000 2020 Land Rover Discovery misery". thisquality. 9 January 2021. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  62. ^ "Billy Te Kahika and Vinny Eastwood admit $200,000 business loan fraud - video". thisquality. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  63. ^ "Conspiracy Theorist Billy Te Kahika admits to Journalist he is involved in an investigation - video". thisquality. 19 February 2021. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  64. ^ Voncina, Lidia (25 February 2015). "Baptism—New Zealand". Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  65. ^ Galbraith, Deane (24 November 2020). "How Billy TK is using the far right". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  66. ^ Moses, Juliet (14 September 2020). "Party preferences for Jewish Kiwis". Australian Jewish News. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  67. ^ "A Darker Truth: The anti-Semitism behind Billy Te Kahika's conspiracy". Stuff. 13 October 2020. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  68. ^ Cumin, David (26 September 2020). "The Israel Report – Live – The Voters' Guide Part 2". Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.