Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki has pleaded not guilty at the Manukau District Court in Auckland for inciting racial disharmony.
Dozens of people from the Church gathered outside the court to support him on Monday. He would reappear in January next year.
On Thursday last week, Tamaki posted a livestream video of police handing him the summons in person on social media.
Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Nelson, Counties Manukau CIB, confirmed officers attended the address to summons a person on three charges of inciting racial disharmony.
"These charges are laid under the Human Rights Act and require consent from the Solicitor-General to prosecute," she said.
"Police [are] not in a position to comment on the specifics of this individual's case as the matter is now before the court."
In a statement on Thursday, Tamaki said he faced three charges for allegedly breaching the Human Rights Act four months ago, believing them to be related to his commentary concerning India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In June this year, Tamaki accused Modi of purging Christians in the South Asian nation.
"He [Modi] is currently purging India of all Christians and burning church buildings down," he said in a video posted on social media.
"I think we should reciprocate in kind. Let's purge New Zealand of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. And, while we're at it, if they're burning churches down, why don't we burn mosques and their temples down? Tit for tat."
A police spokesperson confirmed at the time they were looking into the contents of the video.
On Thursday, Tamaki denied threatening anyone.
"I have never advocated violence against anyone. I have consistently challenged religious beliefs, religious practices and political leaders - NOT people because of their race."
In June, police seized Takami's firearms after temporarily suspending his licence and revoked his firearms licence in August.
