THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
On December 21, 2025, a peaceful Sikh religious procession in South Auckland was blocked by approximately 50 protesters from a group called True Patriots of NZ. The protesters performed a haka, displayed banners reading “This is New Zealand, not India,” and chanted religious slogans while police kept the two groups separated.
This incident occurred because of growing tensions around immigration and religious diversity in New Zealand. True Patriots of NZ is linked to Destiny Church, a fundamentalist Christian organization led by Brian Tamaki. The group believes that non-Christian immigration is changing New Zealand’s identity and threatening what they see as the country’s Christian heritage.
Several factors contributed to this specific confrontation. First, Tamaki has repeatedly described Indian immigration as an “invasion” and has organized multiple protests against what he calls “foreign religions.” Second, the group was particularly concerned about Sikh men carrying ceremonial daggers called kirpans during the parade, claiming they intimidated residents, even though New Zealand law permits these religious articles during authorized processions. Third, this incident followed other recent protests by the same group, including a major march in June 2025 against immigration and non-Christian religions.
What True Patriots NZ Wants
True Patriots of NZ describes itself as “Guardians of the Kiwi Way of Life” and “Defenders of Faith, Flag, and Family.” According to their statements, the group wants several things:
1. A Christian New Zealand
They believe New Zealand should officially be a Christian country and oppose the spread of other religions, particularly Islam and what they call “foreign ideologies.”
2. Restricted Immigration
They want to dramatically reduce or stop immigration, especially from non-Western countries. They use slogans like “No assimilation, no immigration” and “Kiwis first.”
4. Traditional Values
The group opposes LGBTQ rights, multiculturalism, and what they call “woke ideology.” They promote conservative views on family and gender roles.
5. Political Power
Brian Tamaki has launched multiple political parties trying to gain influence, though none have received more than 0.5% of votes in elections.
The Bigger Picture
It’s important to understand that True Patriots NZ and Destiny Church represent a very small minority in New Zealand. Census data shows that fewer than 2,000 people identify as Destiny Church members. The disruption has been widely condemned by political leaders, other Christian denominations, and the general public, who emphasize that New Zealand values religious freedom and diversity.
The Sikh community maintained their composure throughout the incident, continued their peaceful procession with police escort.
References
1.https://thelogicalindian.com/this-is-new-zealand-not-india-brian-tamakis-50-haka-warriors-block-sikh-holy-parade/
2.https://www.indianweekender.co.nz/news/nagar-kirtan-interrupted-by-destiny-church-haka-full-details-inside
3.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Tamaki
