Christian Group Disrupts Sikh Nagar Kirtan in South Auckland

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

A Sikh religious celebration in South Auckland, New Zealand, experienced an interruption on Saturday when a Christian group confronted the attendees, leading police to step in to maintain order.

As reported by the New Zealand Herald, the protesting group—True Patriots of NZ—is connected to the Destiny Church led by Brian Tamaki, a Christian fundamentalist organization. This incident took place during a scheduled Nagar Kirtan, a traditional Sikh parade.

Incident Overview

Videos circulated on social media showcased members of the Christian group clad in blue shirts with messages such as “Kiwis First,” “Keep NZ, NZ,” and “True Patriot.” They also displayed a significant banner proclaiming:
“This is New Zealand, not India.”

The demonstrators performed a haka, a traditional Māori war dance, as they confronted the Sikh procession. Police officers were strategically placed between both groups to ensure safety.

Response from Brian Tamaki

Brian Tamaki, who leads the affiliated church, shared a video of the protest online with the message:
“THIS IS OUR LAND. THIS IS OUR STAND.”

In a follow-up post, he declared: “Kiwis will not remain silent while foreign religions invade. We will assertively and proudly defend our land, faith, and Kiwi lifestyle.”

Statement from Police

NZ Police Inspector Matt Hoyes reported that around 50 individuals blocked the road near 2 PM, aiming to disrupt the parade. “We intervened promptly to ensure the parade could proceed safely. More officers were assigned to guide participants for the remainder of the route,” Hoyes stated.

He emphasized that, although the right to protest is safeguarded, “Police will not permit actions that endanger public safety or intimidate others exercising their rightful freedoms.”

Response from the Sikh Community

The New Zealand Sikh Youth organization vehemently condemned the interruption, clarifying that the Nagar Kirtan was conducted with all the required permits.

In their statement, they noted: “A Nagar Kirtan represents a serene cultural and religious procession. Sharing free food with the community is a fundamental principle in Sikhism.”

They also highlighted that the action and haka from the protesting group starkly contrasted with the peaceful essence of the Sikh gathering.