A Sikh religious procession in Auckland was forced to temporarily halt after members of a far-right group blocked its path with a protest that included a Haka performance. Despite the provocation, members of the Sikh community, including Nihangs who are traditionally known for their martial identity, chose not to react and instead maintained calm and restraint. Community leaders later expressed concern over the incident, noting that this was the third major anti-immigrant or racially charged episode reported in New Zealand this year.
The incident occurred on Saturday in Manurewa, a suburb of Auckland, during a nagar kirtan, a traditional Sikh religious procession involving devotional singing and public display of faith. The event was organised by the Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara and had prior approval from local authorities. However, the procession had to be paused after it encountered a group of protesters who blocked its route along Great South Road.
Videos circulating on social media showed members of a group calling itself the True Patriots of New Zealand standing in front of the procession and performing a Haka. The group has been linked to Pentecostal leader Brian Tamaki and his organisation, Destiny Church. The protesters’ actions prevented the procession from moving forward for a period of time.
The Haka, a traditional Māori cultural dance, is widely recognised as a symbol of pride, identity, and unity. Historically, it was performed by warriors to demonstrate strength, intimidate rivals, and build morale before battle. In recent years, the Haka has also been used in political and social protests, including a widely reported incident in November 2024 when two lawmakers performed it inside Parliament to oppose proposed legislation.
During the protest against the Sikh procession, members of the far-right group were seen holding banners with messages such as “This is New Zealand, not India” and wearing shirts bearing slogans like “Kiwis First” and “Keep New Zealand New Zealand.” According to videos shared online, some protesters also chanted Christian religious phrases, including “One True God” and repeated calls of “Jesus.”
New Zealand police were present throughout the standoff and positioned themselves between the protesters and the Sikh participants to prevent any physical confrontation or escalation. Organisers of the nagar kirtan later stated on social media that the event had all necessary permissions and described the disruption as unexpected and deeply troubling, particularly given the peaceful nature of the procession.
The incident drew reactions from Sikh religious and political leaders abroad. The Acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, said in a video message that the episode was unfortunate and worrying. He emphasised that Sikhs have lived legally in New Zealand for many years, paid taxes, followed the law, and contributed positively to the country’s development. He urged the New Zealand government to ensure the safety of the Sikh community and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Harjinder Singh Dhami, also appealed to both the New Zealand and Indian governments to guarantee a secure and supportive environment in which Sikhs can practise their faith and uphold peaceful coexistence.
Similarly, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the disruption. In a post on X, he described nagar kirtan as a sacred Sikh tradition centred on devotion, unity, and the sharing of blessings for all humanity. He also praised the Sikh community for responding with patience and restraint despite provocation, saying their conduct reflected core Sikh values such as “Chardi Kala” (eternal optimism) and “Sarbat Da Bhala” (welfare of all).
At the same time, the incident triggered a wave of online commentary, including several racist and inflammatory posts. One such comment, made from a verified account, used derogatory language against Sikhs and praised the protesters for stopping what it described as a foreign parade, drawing criticism for its openly racist tone.
Observers have pointed out that racism and anti-immigrant sentiment appear to be increasing in New Zealand. This episode has been identified as the third major incident of its kind this year. In June, protesters led by Brian Tamaki were involved in another controversial demonstration in which flags representing non-Christian religions—including Hindu, Islamic, Palestinian, and Buddhist symbols—were torn and desecrated, with Haka performances reportedly carried out after each act.
Tamaki has also previously made statements targeting immigrant communities, alleging that Sikhs no longer employ local New Zealanders and calling for stricter immigration policies based on assimilation. Against this broader backdrop, the disruption of the Sikh religious procession in Auckland has raised renewed questions about religious freedom, social cohesion, and the handling of extremist protests in New Zealand.
