A Sikh religious procession in Auckland has been halted after a far-right group blocked its route and performed a haka, sparking anger over racism, religious intolerance and the safety of minorities in New Zealand. Sikh Nagar Kirtan halted as far-right protest erupts in New Zealand (Instagram/kal_dosanjh) A peaceful Sikh religious procession in New Zealand was forced to stop midway after a far-right group staged a provocative protest in South Auckland, sparking fresh concerns about religious freedom, racism and public safety in the country. The incident unfolded in Manurewa on Saturday, where a nagar kirtan organized by the Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara was passing through the area with official permission from the authorities. Members of the Sikh community, including Nihangs, were seen maintaining restraint even as the procession was blocked. Videos circulating on social media show protesters linked to far-right group True Patriots of New Zealand, which is linked to evangelical leader Brian Tamaki and Destiny Church, along Great South Road. The group performed the traditional Māori haka directly before the procession, preventing it from moving forward. While the haka is a powerful cultural expression of Māori identity and unity, critics said its use in this context appeared confrontational. Protesters were seen holding banners reading “This is New Zealand, not India” and wearing shirts with slogans such as “Kiwis First” and “Keep New Zealand New Zealand”. Videos also captured chants of Christian slogans, including repeated invocations of Jesus. New Zealand police remained at the scene and positioned themselves between the two groups to prevent the situation from escalating. No violence was reported, but organizers later described the disruption as “unexpected and deeply disturbing”, especially as the event had been approved in advance. The incident drew sharp reactions from Sikh religious and political leaders in India. Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, said Sikhs had lived and worked legally in New Zealand for decades, contributing to its economy and society. He urged the New Zealand government to ensure the community’s safety and prevent such incidents in the future, India Today reported. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Harjinder Singh Dhami also appealed to both the Indian and New Zealand governments to protect the right of Sikhs to practice their faith peacefully. Condemning the disruption, Sukhbir Singh Badal said the Sikh community’s calm response reflected the core tenets of “Chardi Kala” and “Sarbat Da Bhala”, even in the face of provocation. However, the episode also sparked a wave of racist comments online. Several posts targeting Sikhs and immigrants have drawn criticism, adding to concerns that anti-immigrant and religious intolerance is becoming more visible in New Zealand. The Manurewa waste is believed to be the third such incident this year. Earlier this year, protests led by Tamaki saw flags representing Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist and Palestinian identities desecrated during protests, followed by haka performances—events that have already raised alarms among minority communities. As videos of the Sikh march spread worldwide, the message from community leaders remained clear: peaceful religious practices must not become flashpoints for hatred. Get latest real-time updates Stay updated with latest trends, India, world and US news. Business NewsNewsWorld’This is not India’: Far-right group disrupts Sikh march in New Zealand, performs Haka; video surfaces More