Destiny Church's Hannah Tamaki again splashes out on flash Mercedes - and this one's a 577hp beast

Destiny Church co-leader Hannah Tamaki has once again splashed out on a new Mercedes-Benz - this time it's a 577-horsepower twin-turbo V8 beast.

News One Now, New Zealand/August 28, 2017

By Luke Appleby

Destiny Church co-leader Hannah Tamaki, with a Mercedes-Benz 2017 AMG GLE 63 S.

Public records show Ms Tamaki took ownership of the black 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63 S SUV on August 15.

The vehicle sells for $207,900 plus on road costs from Auckland's Armstrong Prestige.

The SUV is an upgrade on Ms Tamaki's previous vehicle, an AMG GLE 450 coupe with a 3-litre twin-turbo V6 engine purchased about a year ago.

Following that purchase - the second high-end Mercedes-Benz purchase by Ms Tamaki within seven months - some criticised her, saying it was greedy and unbecoming of a church leader running charity to drive such a lavish car at the expense of church members.

A Mercedes-Benz 2017 AMG GLE 63 S - powered by a 577-horsepower, 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Destiny Church spokesperson Anne Williamson told 1 NEWS the Tamakis were "surprised at the media's intense interest in their private lives".

"What car they drive is not news," Ms Williamson said.

"It is also a concern to know how you acquired this knowledge, and we will be looking in to that."

The records were acquired by 1 NEWS through a publicly-accessible government website, and Ms Tamaki has also tweeted a photo of her new car.

She then tweeted about the criticism, saying "What u spend ur $ on, ur business" and that she wishes she could have an even more expensive car.

Destiny Church was co-founded with Ms Tamaki's husband Brian Tamaki - a self-appointed bishop - and their charitable organisations are tax-exempt.

Members of the church are reportedly required to pay 10 per cent of their income to the church as a tithe, as well as being encouraged to give more in special giving drives.

In July, 1 NEWS revealed that Charities Services was looking at their approach towards "serial late filing" from charitable entities such as Destiny Church.

The church remains badly behind with the annual financial returns of three of its largest charities - Destiny Church Auckland Trust, Destiny International Trust and Te Hahi o Nga Matamua Holdings Limited - despite extensions being granted by Charities Services.

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