A National MP says she is filled with sadness after a Brian Tamaki-linked group disrupted a traditional Sikh procession in South Auckland yesterday, brandishing a banner reading “This is New Zealand, not India”, an incident the Free Speech Union says “crosses a line”.
True Patriots of NZ, an organisation founded by the controversial Christian figure, confronted the Sikh Nagar Kirtan procession with a haka and chanting, with police stepping in to shield both sides.
Video shows the True Patriots of NZ approach the Sikh group, wearing primarily blue shirts with slogans such as “Kiwis first”, “Keep NZ, NZ” and “True patriot”, alongside a large banner saying “This is New Zealand, not India.”
The True Patriots group then performs a haka before linking arms and chanting “One true God”, “Jesus” and “God of nation”, while being kept apart from the Sikh group by police.
Police say they are continuing to make enquiries following the incident at a scheduled public parade by members of the Auckland Sikh community on Great South Road.
MP for Takanini Rima Nakhle took to social media to share her disappointment and frustration over what she described as an aggressive and threatening demonstration against the Sikh community.
“I am deeply disappointed with the way our Sikh community in South Auckland was targeted yesterday,” Nakhle wrote on Facebook.
“As I understand, our Sikh community in Manurewa had received a permit to hold this procession, honouring the birth of their first guru. They had gone through all the right channels- required by the laws of our land- before going ahead with it.”
“Seeing the footage of the inflammatory and threatening behaviour of the people who tried to stop the PERMITTED procession has filled me with sadness,” she said.
Nakhle said the Sikh community has done a lot for New Zealand, saying “not only do they work hard, pay taxes and often do the jobs many others don’t want to do, they also contribute tremendously to the social wellbeing of our local communities”.
She pointed to initiatives like the donation of thousands of food parcels during Covid, the fundraising of $80,000 to the victims of the March 15 Christchurch mosque terrorist attack, and the gifting of Community Patrol cars, all done by the local Sikh community.
“As a Christian myself”, she wrote, “I do not think Jesus would want me to target a group of people who do not threaten, rather, just carry on while working hard but also celebrating their values and being charitable.”
The Free Speech Union, which advocates for New Zealanders’ right to protest and counter-protest, has condemned the Tamaki-linked disruptors.
Chief executive Jillaine Heather said while her organisation supports Tamaki’s right to disagree with immigration policy or criticise other religions, the display was not a counter-protest.
“When 50 people form a barrier to stop a Nagar Kirtan procession, that’s not counter-protest – it’s obstruction that limits others’ legal expression,“ Heather said.
“Free Speech and our culture of tolerance have made New Zealand a haven for many persecuted groups over the years. Attempts to drive any group out of public life are antidemocratic and cruel, and we call on all New Zealanders to use their voices to condemn such tactics, regardless of who is applying them”.
In the caption of a video of the incident posted to his social media, Tamaki said “THIS IS OUR LAND. THIS IS OUR STAND.”
“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.”
In the past week, police have stepped up reassurance patrols, particularly at Jewish sites, following the Bondi Beach shooting that left 16 people dead.
Tamaki took to social media after the terrorist attack to claim “multiculturalism is ruining Australia.”