Nagar Kirtan in New Zealand disrupted as locals perform Haka dance to oppose religious procession
A Sikh Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) in Manurewa, a suburb of South Auckland, was briefly interrupted after it came across a group of protestors linked to Destiny Church and led by Pentecostal preacher Brian Tamaki.
Although the encounter remained peaceful, it drew police intervention and sparked intense debate around religious freedom, immigration and multiculturalism in New Zealand.
Reports and videos circulating online show the Sikh procession and the protest group confronting each other on a public road, leading to a tense standoff that lasted for some time. Police officers stood between the two groups to prevent the situation from escalating.
No violence was reported, and authorities later confirmed that the matter was resolved without any arrests or injuries. Videos shared by Tamaki on social media show protestors chanting Christian slogans such as “One True God” and “Jesus, Jesus,” while members of the Sikh procession appeared composed and did not visibly react. The Nagar Kirtan itself was a peaceful religious march, with participants dressed in traditional attire and carrying ceremonial symbols.
In his social media posts, Tamaki criticised the procession for causing road closures and disrupting residents and businesses for several hours. He also questioned the presence of ceremonial swords and daggers carried by some Sikh participants, expressing concern about such items being displayed in public spaces. “Kiwis are left asking a fair question: since when is it acceptable to parade bladed weapons on our streets?” he wrote, adding that such practices were “not the Kiwi way of life.”
- PTC NEWS
