Post by : Bianca
Haleem
A peaceful Sikh Nagar Kirtan in South Auckland, New Zealand, faced disruption on Saturday when a Christian group confronted participants, leading to police intervention to manage the situation.
According to the New Zealand Herald, the group involved, known as True Patriots of NZ, has ties to Destiny Church, a Christian fundamentalist organization led by Brian Tamaki. The incident occurred during a scheduled Sikh religious procession.
Incident Details
Social media videos captured members of the Christian group in blue shirts displaying messages like “Kiwis First,” “Keep NZ, NZ,” and “True Patriot.” They also held a prominent banner that read:
“This is New Zealand, not India.”
Protesters executed a haka, a traditional Māori performance, in the presence of the Sikh participants, while police were stationed between the two groups to maintain peace.
Response from Brian Tamaki
Brian Tamaki shared footage of the protest on social media, captioned:
“THIS IS OUR LAND. THIS IS OUR STAND.”
In another post, he commented: “Kiwis will not remain silent as foreign religions enter our land. We will stand peacefully, proudly, and unapologetically for our culture and our Kiwi way of life.”
Statement from Police
NZ Police Inspector Matt Hoyes confirmed that about 50 individuals attempted to block the route around 2 PM to interfere with the procession. “Police responded quickly to ensure the parade could proceed safely, with additional officers escorting participants for the rest of the journey,” Hoyes stated.
He emphasized that while peaceful protests are permitted, “Police will not allow actions that threaten public safety or intimidate those exercising their rights.”
Reaction from the Sikh Community
The New Zealand Sikh Youth organization expressed strong disapproval of the protest, asserting that the Nagar Kirtan had been organized legally.
In their statement, they remarked: “A Nagar Kirtan is a celebration of cultural and religious values marked by peace. Sharing food with the community is a core Sikh principle.”
They further pointed out that the chants and haka from the protestors starkly contrasted with the serene atmosphere of the Sikh event.
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