For the second time in less than three weeks, a Sikh religious procession in New Zealand has concluded peacefully under heightened police security. This follows protest activity by a small nationalist group, raising concerns among community leaders about repeated challenges to public faith gatherings.
Event Details and Police Precaution
The latest incident occurred in Tauranga on Sunday, during a Sikh Nagar Kirtan organised to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. The event was coordinated by the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat and another local gurdwara. Hundreds of devotees participated in the prayers, hymn singing, and community engagement activities, which had received formal approval from local authorities well in advance.
According to reports, police confirmed that a group associated with earlier disruptions in the country gathered separately. They staged a demonstration involving a haka performance and slogans about cultural ownership of public streets. Although the protest did not physically block the procession, officers modified the return path of the religious march as a precaution to prevent potential confrontation.
Organisers Stress Smooth Proceedings and Community Spirit
Gurdwara representatives emphasised that the demonstrators were not close to the main participants. Puran Singh, president of the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat and an organiser, stated the protest was "a bit far" and that the programme proceeded smoothly once it concluded. He highlighted that this was the twelfth annual Sikh Parade in Tauranga, a large-scale event requiring months of preparation and multiple approvals.
"The council and police have always been extremely helpful during our events," Singh told the India Weekender. He noted the cooperative nature of participants, especially younger community members, who fully complied with police instructions.
Singh also explained the broader purpose of the nagar kirtan, stating these parades are not just celebrations. They serve as platforms for community awareness, where immigration advice, health camps, and other benefits are shared with attendees.
Police Response and a Pattern of Protests
Law enforcement authorities described their response as precautionary, shaped by recent events. Inspector Christopher Summerville of the Bay of Plenty Police’s Māori Pacific Ethnic Service confirmed that officers on site intervened immediately to ensure the parade concluded safely.
This Tauranga gathering marks the second nagar kirtan within three weeks to attract protest attention from the same group. In late December, a similar Sikh procession in Manurewa, South Auckland, faced a temporary disruption. Protesters positioned themselves along the route performing a haka, leading to a standoff that lasted approximately half an hour.
Following the Tauranga event, organisers cautioned against online speculation and exaggerated claims. Singh stressed that "once the haka concluded, there was no escalation or disruption," underscoring the successful and peaceful completion of the religious observance.
