A peaceful Sikh religious procession in New Zealand was forced to halt midway after a far-right group staged a provocative protest in South Auckland, sparking fresh concerns about religious freedom, racism and public safety in the country.
The incident took place on Saturday in Manurewa where a nagar kirtan organized by Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara was making its way through the locality with official permission from the authorities. Members of the Sikh community, including the Nihangs, were seen maintaining restraint even as the procession was blocked.
Videos circulating on social media show protesters linked to the far-right group True Patriots of New Zealand, linked to evangelical leader Brian Tamaki and the Destiny Church, lining up along the Great South Road. The group performed the traditional Maori haka right in front of the procession, preventing it from moving forward.
While the haka is a strong cultural expression of Maori identity and unity, critics said its use in this context appeared confrontational. The protesters held placards reading “This is New Zealand, not India” and wore shirts with slogans such as “Kiwis first” and “Keep New Zealand New Zealand”. The videos also captured the chanting of Christian slogans, including repeated invocations of Jesus.
New Zealand police remained at the scene and placed themselves between the two groups to prevent the situation from escalating. No violence was reported, but organizers later described the disruption as “unexpected and deeply disturbing”, especially given that the event had been pre-sanctioned.
The incident drew sharp reactions from Sikh religious and political leaders in India. Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, acting jathedar of the Akal Takht, said Sikhs had lived and worked legally in New Zealand for decades, contributing to its economy and society. He urged the New Zealand government to ensure the safety of the community and prevent similar incidents in the future, India Today reported.
Shironi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Chairman Harjinder Singh dhami also pleaded with both the Indian and New Zealand governments to save the right of Sikhs to practice fashionably.
Condemning the disturbance, Sukhbir Singh Badal said the calm response of the Sikh community reflected the basic teachings of “Chardi Kala” and “Sarbat Da Bhala”, even in the face of provocation.
However, the episode also unleashed a wave of racist comments online. Several posts targeting Sikhs and immigrants have drawn criticism and added to concerns that anti-immigrant and religious intolerance is increasingly visible in New Zealand. The standoff in Manurewa is said to be the third such incident this year.
Earlier this year, protests led by Tamaki were desecrated with flags representing Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist and Palestinian identities during demonstrations followed by haka performances – events that have already caused alarm among minority communities.
As videos of the Sikh procession spread around the world, the message from community leaders remained clear: peaceful practices of the faith should not become a focus of hatred.
