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Summarised by Centrist
A Sikh religious procession in South Auckland was briefly disrupted on Saturday after a group staged a haka protest along the parade route, prompting a police response.
The incident occurred in Manurewa as members of Auckland’s Sikh community returned to the Nanaksar Sikh Temple following a Nagar Kirtan, a religious procession involving several hundred participants.
Footage shared online showed members of a group calling itself True Patriots of NZ, which reportedly has links to Destiny Church, performing a haka while facing the procession from the roadside. A banner reading ‘This is New Zealand not India’ was visible in the background.
True Patriots of NZ later described the action as peaceful, with Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki posting video footage online saying the haka was intended to send a message about “keeping New Zealand, New Zealand.”
The group describes itself on social media as opposing mass immigration, globalism, and what it calls “woke ideology,” while advocating for a Christian New Zealand.
Trustees for the Nanaksar Sikh Temple confirmed the procession had Auckland Council approval and said safety was their primary concern once the protest began.
Police said they were called to the scene after around 50 people blocked part of Great South Road in an attempt to disrupt the parade. Additional officers remained in the area after the event to reassure the Sikh community.
