They peacefully feed hungry...: New Zealand man praises Sikh community’s quiet service amid protest disruption in Auckland
Nate delivers a sharp message: 'If your church makes you loud, angry and cruel, while the people you are attacking are peacefully feeding the hungry, then the problem isn’t their faith — it’s your ignorance'
PTC Web Desk: A New Zealand citizen has shared a moving account highlighting the quiet compassion and selfless service of the Sikh community, a message that has resonated widely online amid recent tensions during a religious procession in Auckland.
The man, identified as Nate Hamon, said his parents work as local coordinators for a food charity and regularly help feed people facing hardship. According to Nate, members of the local Sikh community frequently support this effort by arriving unannounced with freshly cooked meals.
In a social media post that has since gone viral, Nate noted that the food is prepared and funded by the Sikh volunteers themselves, without any desire for publicity or praise. “They simply drop off the food, smile politely and quietly walk away,” he wrote, describing the act as “selfless service in its purest form.”
Addressing those who spread hate or criticism, Nate delivered a sharp message: “If your church makes you loud, angry and cruel, while the people you are attacking are peacefully feeding the hungry, then the problem isn’t their faith — it’s your ignorance.”
The post gained widespread attention just days after a nagar kirtan in South Auckland was disrupted by protesters allegedly linked to Destiny Church. The Sikh religious procession, held along Great South Road, was attended by families and community members and remained peaceful and lawful.
Around 50 protesters gathered near the route, holding placards with slogans such as ‘Kiwis First’ and ‘Keep NZ, NZ’, and performed a haka in what appeared to be an attempt to disrupt the event. Police quickly stepped in, separating the protesters from participants and ensuring the procession continued safely. No serious injuries were reported.
The incident has also drawn criticism from within New Zealand’s rugby community. Several rugby players and supporters condemned the inappropriate use of the haka during the Sikh procession, stating that the traditional Maori dance should not be misused to intimidate or provoke religious communities.