'This is not India': Protests erupt in New Zealand opposing Sikhs' kirtan parade. Watch

Police officers positioned themselves between the two groups, allowing the procession — involving hundreds of participants — to continue safely. (Image credit: @BrianTamakiNZ/X)

Protests erupted in New Zealand over the weekend after a group of people linked to a local church confronted a procession of Sikhs performing kirtan (holy songs). Videos circulating online showed the protestors performing a haka, chanting Christian slogans and holding banners reading “This is New Zealand, not India”, as police intervened to separate both sides. The incident happened in Manurewa, South Auckland, and has triggered a debate over religious freedom, immigration and multiculturalism.

According to media reports, about 50 protestors blocked Great South Road in the afternoon, attempting to disrupt the parade organised by the Nanaksar Sikh Temple. They carried placards with "This is New Zealand, not India" slogans and wore t-shirts that read "patriots" and "Kiwi first".

Anti India Protest in NewZeland

A peaceful Nagar Kirtan organised by the Sikh community in South Auckland was disrupted in Manurewa. Despite the provocation, the Sikhs remained calm and non-violent. Police intervened to ensure public safety and escorted the procession so… pic.twitter.com/DWC70zsZSG — Woke Eminent (@WokePandemic) December 21, 2025

Police officers positioned themselves between the two groups, allowing the procession — involving hundreds of participants — to continue safely. No arrests or injuries were reported, Free Press Journal reported.

Footage posted by Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki showed protestors chanting “One True God” and “Jesus, Jesus” while the Sikh participants occasionally responded with "Jo bole so nihal" and "Sat sri akal".

New Zealanders are right to be concerned. This is what played out on our Manurewa streets in Auckland yesterday. This is a mass invasion, via mass immigration, flooding into our land. Amongst these Sikhs were a strong contingent flying the Khalistan flags. The Khalistan… pic.twitter.com/1LeGWmXqcc — Brian Tamaki (@BrianTamakiNZ) December 21, 2025

Police recognises right to protest

Meanwhile, the police said that they recognised the right to protest but would not tolerate actions that threaten public safety or intimidate those exercising lawful religious rights.

Tamaki frames protest as defence of national identity

In a series of social‑media posts, Tamaki criticised the parade for road closures, accused participants of flying Khalistan flags and described the kirtan as a “mass invasion via mass immigration”. He also questioned the public display of ceremonial swords and daggers by the Sikh community, claiming such symbols were “not the Kiwi way of life.”

IS THIS AUCKLAND OR MUMBAI?

Right now in Manurewa, it’s shut down for hours for a Sikh religious parade. Roads closed. Locals disrupted. Businesses affected. Families stuck. And the most confronting part? Men openly carrying swords & daggers on public streets. Kiwis are left… pic.twitter.com/CwT7PsbkCV — Brian Tamaki (@BrianTamakiNZ) December 19, 2025

Tamaki praised the haka performed by young men linked to his group, calling it a peaceful “stand” for New Zealand’s cultural identity. He reiterated his long‑held position that New Zealand is a Christian nation, warning that his movement would continue resisting “foreign religious influence.”

THIS IS OUR LAND. THIS IS OUR STAND. Today, True Patriots stood their ground in South Auckland. No violence. No riots. Just my young men performing a haka…face-to-face…to send a clear message: KEEP NZ, NZ. While parts of Manurewa were shut down for hours by Sikhs and… pic.twitter.com/GjN9MYq1W4 — Brian Tamaki (@BrianTamakiNZ) December 20, 2025

Sikh community responds with restraint

Leaders from the New Zealand Sikh community expressed disappointment at what they described as a provocative and unnecessary disruption to a legally sanctioned religious event. Participants said they avoided confrontation out of respect for their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, which was being carried during the procession, local media reported.

According to New Indian Express, prominent Sikh bodies — including the Akal Takht and SGPC — condemned the incident, calling it an attack on religious freedom and urging both the Indian and New Zealand governments to ensure safe conditions for minority communities. They emphasised the Sikh community’s long‑standing history in New Zealand and its contributions through service, multicultural engagement and community support.