Tauranga Sikh Parade Faces Haka Protest by True Patriots
The annual Sikh Nagar Kirtan parade in Tauranga, marking the birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh Guru, unfolded largely peacefully on Saturday despite a brief and controversial haka performed nearby by members of True Patriots of NZ, a group linked to Destiny Church. The parade began at 11 a.m. on 11 January from the Gurudwara Sikh Sangat temple and celebrated the birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, a central figure in Sikh history known for establishing the Khalsa and promoting equality and justice. As in previous years, the event drew large crowds from across the Bay of Plenty, reflecting the growing presence and visibility of the Sikh community in the region. During the course of the celebrations, members of True Patriots of NZ performed a haka approximately one kilometre away from the Gurudwara around 1 p.m. Participants reportedly linked arms and chanted slogans in front of a banner reading, “This is New Zealand not India.” Police officers were present at the scene to ensure pub...