Sikh Parade in South Auckland Disrupted by Haka-Performing Protesters Linked to Brian Tamaki

A scheduled Sikh religious parade (nagar kirtan) in Manurewa, South Auckland, was disrupted on Saturday afternoon when a group of protesters linked to Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church confronted marchers and blocked part of the route.

The Sikh community procession, organised with the necessary permits by the local Manurewa Sikh community, was intended as a peaceful celebration of faith, culture and service. Nagar kirtans traditionally include devotional hymns and the sharing of free food with the community.

Around 2 pm, approximately 50 protesters identifying themselves as the True Patriots of New Zealand stood on Great South Road, displaying banners reading “This is New Zealand, not India” and wearing shirts with slogans such as “Kiwis First”, “Keep NZ, NZ” and “True Patriot.”

Footage shared on social media by Brian Tamaki shows members of the group performing a haka – a traditional Māori dance – as they confronted the Sikh procession. Police intervened and positioned officers between the two groups to maintain order, ensuring the parade could continue without escalation into violence.

In social media posts, Tamaki framed the demonstration as a defence of New Zealand’s identity, warning against what he described as “foreign religious influence” and claiming concerns over ceremonial swords seen during the parade. He wrote that “Kiwis will not be silent while foreign religions flood in” and insisted the protest was peaceful and proud.

However, Sikh community leaders and former MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi – New Zealand’s first Sikh and Indian-origin MP – described the incident as more than a protest, framing it as a provocation rather than respectful dissent. Bakshi has emphasised that protest rights carry responsibility to respect others’ lawful rights and freedoms.

Police reiterated their commitment to protecting lawful rights, noting they would not tolerate actions that threaten safety or seek to intimidate those expressing their religion peacefully.

Voices within the wider community have also expressed concern. Sikh bodies including the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) condemned the disruption, describing it as misuse of customs to spread hate and urging New Zealand authorities to uphold religious freedom and communal harmony.

The incident has highlighted ongoing debates around multiculturalism, religious expression and protest in New Zealand, a nation built on diverse cultures and faiths. While peaceful protest remains a protected right, clashes like this raise questions about how New Zealanders navigate difference and uphold mutual respect in public life.

As the Sikh community and civic leaders reflect on the event, many are calling for constructive dialogue and reaffirmation of the values of inclusion, tolerance and shared citizenship in Aotearoa.

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