Tensions Rise as Destiny Church Haka Disrupts Sikh Nagar Kirtan

A gathering of Sikh worshippers in South Auckland was interrupted on Saturday afternoon when members of Destiny Church performed a haka in proximity to their Nagar Kirtan procession. The event, organized by the Sikh community from the **Nanaksar Sikh Temple** in Manurewa, involved hundreds of participants walking approximately five kilometres along **Great South Road**.

Footage shared on social media by **Brian Tamaki**, leader of Destiny Church, depicted church supporters performing the haka while facing the Sikh procession. The confrontation escalated tensions, with Destiny Church supporters displaying a black banner stating, “This is New Zealand, not India.” Tamaki commented in the video, “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.”

Destiny Church has a history of similar demonstrations. Notably, a rally in June 2023, dubbed “Faith, Flag and Family,” criticized immigration policies and the presence of non-Christian religions in New Zealand. During that event, Tamaki and his followers reportedly targeted various communities, leading to the tearing of flags representing them.

Gurcharan Singh, a trustee of the Nanaksar Sikh Temple, stated that the Sikh community had received permission from the **Auckland Council** for the Nagar Kirtan. Sunny Singh, a participant and immigration adviser, noted that some members of Destiny Church seemed to have concealed their flags and T-shirts while waiting for the procession to conclude. “We spotted some members who hid their flags and t-shirts, and I suspect that they were waiting for us to finish our peaceful procession and return to the main entrance of the temple. That is when they came to perform haka,” Singh remarked.

While serving refreshments during the Kirtan, which included pizzas, water, tea, and chabeel—a traditional Sikh drink—Sunny Singh emphasized that participants remained calm and avoided escalating the situation. “We ensured that the situation did not escalate, as we were carrying the **Guru Granth Sahib**,” he added.

The tense encounter lasted approximately 30 minutes before police intervened to facilitate the safe continuation of the parade. **Inspector Matt Hoyes** of the police reported that around **2:00 PM**, a group of about 50 individuals attempted to block the road to disrupt the Sikh community’s scheduled event. “Police acted swiftly to ensure the parade was able to safely continue, and additional officers were called in to escort the parade participants through the remainder of their route,” he stated. Officers remained in the vicinity to reassure the Sikh community following the incident.

The police reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the lawful right to protest, while also stating, “We will not tolerate actions that threaten public safety or intimidate others exercising their lawful rights.”

Community leader and **Manurewa Local Board** member **Marshal Walia** expressed concerns regarding the safety of participants and questioned the motivations behind the protest. “Sikhs are one of the fastest-growing communities, and given the work we have done over the years, especially during COVID relief, the main concern was why them,” he stated. Walia underscored the importance of the Sikh community’s longstanding presence in New Zealand and the nation’s multicultural values.

He suggested that prior communication with local authorities regarding religious parades could enhance safety measures, stating, “Before we organize any religious parades, we should inform the Area Commander and provide details on why we are doing it and the context behind it.” Walia also advocated for ensuring community awareness of such gatherings to mitigate potential disruptions.

Eyewitness accounts confirmed that the Nagar Kirtan concluded peacefully after Destiny Church members were escorted away from the area. Founded in 1998 by Brian and Hannah Tamaki, Destiny Church has claimed to have had close to **10,000** members at its peak. The church’s stance on immigration has drawn significant attention, with Tamaki previously describing Indian immigration to New Zealand as an “invasion” during a Facebook Live session on **October 11, 2024**.

As tensions around cultural and religious expressions continue to unfold, the incident serves as a reminder of the complexities within New Zealand’s diverse society and the need for dialogue and understanding among its communities.