The Karangahape Rd vandalism came after protesters painted over Gisborne’s rainbow crossing, for which three people were charged with vandalism.
Earlier in the month Tamaki said he didn’t know who was responsible for the K Road vandalism and claimed it was a copycat of the Gisborne protest.
The vandalism was met with criticism across the board.
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown expressed anger over the vandalism calling it “disgraceful”.
“I’ve got no time for intolerance of people’s differences,” he said.
“Plus, this is just another form of graffiti on other people’s property that we will need to spend money fixing – which I hate.”
Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick told Newshub it was “sad and bizarre”, but the behaviour didn’t appear from thin air.
“There’s been quite a whirlwind of imported misinformation and hate towards our rainbow communities,” Swarbrick said.
“I mean, what compels an alleged 31-year-old man to paint over a pride flag. Pretty sad.”