Richard Lewis (New Zealand)

Richard Lewis (born 1969) is the leader of the Family Party, a political party in New Zealand, and was formerly leader of the now de registered Destiny New Zealand, a Christian party.

Lewis was born in Auckland, New Zealand. At the age of twenty-two, he joined the New Zealand Police. He served as a police officer for eleven years. In 2001, he became the manager of Destiny Social Services, a branch of the Auckland-based Destiny Church. In 2003 Lewis was instrumental in the establishment of the Destiny New Zealand political party, the origins of which derived primarily from Destiny Church which is headed by Bishop Brian Tamaki.

The party went on to stand 42 candidates in electorates nationwide, being one of only 3 parties to stand in all 7 Maori electorates. While the party did not achieve representation at the 2005 General Election, it was the highest polling party outside of parliament.

In the 2005 election, Lewis stood as his party's candidate for the Manukau East electorate and come third behind the two major party candidates from Labour and National with 1111 votes (3.4%).

In 2007, Destiny New Zealand was disbanded, with Lewis instead becoming leader of a new Family Party.