Middle East conflict: Iranian New Zealanders jubilant following Supreme Leader’s death

Iranian New Zealanders are jubilantly celebrating the death of the Iranian Supreme Leader following Israeli and US missile strikes.

The two countries launched an “all-out” missile strike at the weekend, with US President Donald Trump calling it “a massive and ongoing operation”.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed after missile strikes near his offices.

Iranian Women in NZ founder Forough Amin told the Herald it has been a historic moment for the Iranians in New Zealand and around the world.

Hundreds of Iranians gathered in Auckland's Cornwall Park to celebrate the death of the country's Supreme Leader. Photo / Forough Amin

“After the death of the Supreme Leader, about 500 people went to Cornwall Park and celebrated,” she said.

“He has been the one responsible for all the death, torture and executions in the last 37 years since he came to power.

“His death was something we all wanted from the bottom of our hearts but we couldn’t believe we were alive to witness it.”

Free Iran Alliance NZ group member Hanna Habibi told the Herald that she, other Kiwi Iranians and many in Iran were very happy Khamenei was dead.

However, Habini remains fearful that remaining members of the Iranian regime will seek vengeance on citizens.

“Knowing how brutal they are and how willing they are to burn the entire country with them but not lose power, that makes us a bit scared,” she said.

Members of Wellington's Iranian community gathered in Frank Kitts Park. Photo / Hanna Habibi

“We really hope the attacks continue until they are weakened for people to take over or attempt to take over.”

AUT associate professor Maryam Doborjeh said New Zealand’s Iranian diaspora hoped the regime would fall soon.

“We were celebrating the death of Khamenei because he is responsible for killing thousands of innocent citizens in the streets of Iran,” she told the Herald.

“We will continue this until the entire regime is changed.”

Amin told the Herald the days of the Iranian regime could be numbered.

She said Khamenei was the core of the Iranian regime, and everything revolved around him.

“And now, because he has been killed, and not just him, other senior officials are dead too.

pic.twitter.com/PYBu4JOgCO

— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) February 28, 2026

“There is chaos. Their final days are coming, so they’re just doing whatever they can and they cannot continue.

The joint statement from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters urged Kiwis in the Middle East region to shelter in place.

“Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the conflict, and to the New Zealand families who are understandably worried about their loved ones in the region.

“We recognise too the courage of the Iranian people who have taken to the streets in recent weeks to demand change, only to be met by violence and murder. The Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.”

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