Foundations laid for new Sikh temple

By WAYNE THOMPSON

More than 1500 Auckland Sikhs and Prime Minister Helen Clark attended a ceremony yesterday to lay the foundation for a new $7 million temple, school and sports complex at Takinini.

An Auckland Sikh Society spokesman said the centre would be the main institution for its 5000 members, who also had temples in Otahuhu, Papatoetoe and Bombay.

The centre, which covers 4 hectares, will have accommodation for visiting gurus and other important guests, an eight-room Sunday school, a gymnasium and sportsgrounds.

Sikh sports include the national game of kabbadi - described as rugby without a ball - and soccer, basketball and volleyball.

The Sikh religion was born 500 years ago in the Punjab region of northern India.

Sikhs first settled in New Zealand 110 years ago.