A Sikh Nagar Kirtan or religious procession in South Auckland, New Zealand, was protested in the form of a traditional tribal “haka” dance on Saturday (December 20). The incident has now drawn reactions from Punjab’s political leaders, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
When asked for a response, Mann told the press that the Central government should address the issue with the New Zealand government. He emphasised the rights to practice and promote one’s religion, and pointed to the contributions of the Punjabi people as immigrants in several countries.
What happened during the Nagar Kirtan in Auckland?
On Saturday, a Nagar Kirtan was being carried out in Manurewa, a suburb of South Auckland. A local group opposed the procession and blocked its route as it moved toward a gurdwara.
The protest included cultural symbols, including the Haka dance traditionally performed by the Indigenous Māori group. According to New Zealand Tourism’s website, the haka is “a show of physical prowess but also an embodiment of cultural pride, strength, and unity.” Anti-immigration slogans and those against foreign political influences were also raised. Eventually, New Zealand police intervened and removed the protesters to prevent an escalation.
What objections were raised by Brian Tamaki and his supporters?
Tamaki, who led the group, argued that the procession included symbols and slogans linked to overseas political movements, which posed a risk to New Zealand’s social cohesion.
In a social media post, he claimed that “Amongst these Sikhs were a strong contingent flying the Khalistan flags. The Khalistan movement is a terrorist Sikh political movement, linked overseas to terrorist violence and instability. They call out on Auckland streets for Modi to be killed. Their symbols and activism are now being openly displayed here in New Zealand…with no scrutiny and no accountability. NZ Police do nothing. Our politicians are even defending them.”
He further said the issues included “mass immigration without assimilation” and a “government asleep at the wheel”.
Tamaki maintained that his opposition was not directed at Sikhs and their religious practices but at what he described as political activism within public religious events. However, he has also raised questions about multiculturalism in Western nations in the past.
On June 21 this year, a group led by Tamaki held an anti-immigration rally, featuring flags representing Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. The protesters held banners stating, “NZ’s official religion: Christianity,” and chanted about “Christian values, Kiwi identity, and the future of this nation.”
What is the history of Sikhs in New Zealand, and the recent issues?
This is not the first time such incidents and debates have come to the fore. Indian immigration to New Zealand is relatively more recent compared to Australia, but even here, the first records of a significant number of Indians landing on its shores can be traced back to the mid-19th century. In both countries, as well as the United Kingdom and Canada, familiarity with the British system of administration historically helped Indian Sikh immigrants find work opportunities.
Their numbers have grown over time, and between 2001 and 2023, the Sikh population in New Zealand increased from around 5,000 to more than 53,000, according to Census data.
Pockets of the Sikh diaspora in Western nations have sought to revive the demand for Khalistan, a separate Sikh state, ever since the movement dwindled in India after the government’s crackdown in the 1980s. Some extra-judicial actions in that period added to the sense of injustice for many who raised the demand and later migrated from India. You can read here about Canada’s case.
Given their political interests, and the rising participation of Indians in New Zealand politics, political leaders have sometimes refrained from engaging with the subject. However, the rise of anti-immigration sentiments globally has resulted in some criticism for a lack of response.
New Zealand is no exception when it comes to Khalistan-related issues, which are also of concern to the Indian government. In March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited New Zealand and discussed the issue with his counterpart, Christopher Luxon. He said, “We will continue to cooperate together against terrorist, separatist and radical elements. In this context, we shared our concern about anti-India activities by some illegal elements in New Zealand”.
An official Indian spokesperson said at the time, “We do alert our friends to the activities of anti-India elements in their countries and their abuse of freedom of speech and other democratic freedoms to glorify terrorism and to threaten attacks against our diplomats, our parliament or our events in India. So these were also conveyed. The government of New Zealand has been receptive and has taken our concerns on board in the past as well…”
Videos and photos showed the procession and the protests against it in South Auckland, New Zealand. (Screenshot: X/@officeofssbadal; @BrianTamakiNZ) 
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