Key Takeaways
- A confrontation occurred between the True Patriots of NZ, a group linked to Destiny Church, and the Sikh community in South Auckland during a Nagar Kirtan procession.
- The True Patriots of NZ performed a haka, while holding a banner that read "This is New Zealand not India," in an apparent attempt to disrupt the Sikh procession.
- The Sikh community refrained from engaging with the group and continued with their peaceful procession, with the help of police intervention.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of minority communities in New Zealand and the need for greater understanding and respect for multicultural values.
- Destiny Church has a history of staging protests and making anti-immigration statements, with its leader Brian Tamaki describing the immigration of Indians to New Zealand as an "invasion" in a recent Facebook Live video.
Introduction to the Incident
The incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon in South Auckland, where a group of Sikh community members were carrying out a Nagar Kirtan procession, a traditional Sikh religious parade. The procession, which included hundreds of participants, was organized by the Sikh community in Auckland and was scheduled to return to the Nanaksar Sikh Temple in Manurewa. However, the procession was disrupted by a group of individuals from True Patriots of NZ, a group linked to Destiny Church, who performed a haka and held a banner that read "This is New Zealand not India."
The Confrontation
The confrontation between the two groups was captured on video and shared on social media by Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki. The video showed the True Patriots of NZ, wearing "keep NZ NZ" T-shirts, performing a haka on one side of the road, while the Sikh community members stood a few meters away. The Sikh community members, who were carrying the Guru Granth Sahib, the central holy scripture of Sikhism, refrained from engaging with the group and continued with their peaceful procession. According to eyewitnesses, the situation lasted for about 30 minutes, during which police intervened to allow the parade to continue safely.
Police Intervention
The police played a crucial role in de-escalating the situation and ensuring the safety of the Sikh community members. Inspector Matt Hoyes stated that the police acted swiftly to ensure the parade was able to safely continue and that additional officers were called in to escort the parade participants through the remainder of their route. The police also remained in the area after the parade to provide reassurance to the local Sikh community. The police emphasized that while they recognize the lawful right to protest, they will not tolerate actions that threaten public safety or intimidate others exercising their lawful rights.
Community Reaction
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of minority communities in New Zealand. Manurewa Local Board member and community leader Marshal Walia expressed his concern about the safety of the Sikh community members and questioned why the True Patriots of NZ targeted the Sikh community. Walia noted that the Sikh community has been part of New Zealand for many years and highlighted the country’s multicultural values. He emphasized the importance of preventing such disruptions in the future and suggested that the community should inform the police and provide prior notice to the wider community before organizing any religious parades.
Destiny Church’s History
Destiny Church, a New Zealand-based Christian movement founded by Brian and Hannah Tamaki, has a history of staging protests and making anti-immigration statements. In a Facebook Live video, Brian Tamaki described the immigration of Indians to New Zealand as an "invasion." The church has also been involved in other controversies, including a protest in June this year, where a march down Queen Street in central Auckland targeted immigration and the spread of non-Christian religions in New Zealand. The church’s actions have raised concerns about the spread of hate speech and intolerance in New Zealand.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the need for greater understanding and respect for multicultural values in New Zealand. The Sikh community’s peaceful response to the confrontation and the police’s swift intervention demonstrate the importance of promoting tolerance and inclusivity. However, the incident also raises concerns about the spread of hate speech and intolerance in New Zealand, and the need for community leaders and authorities to take a stronger stance against such behavior. As New Zealand continues to grow and diversify, it is essential to promote a culture of respect, understanding, and inclusivity, where all communities can feel safe and valued.
