A procession in South Auckland, where some participants appeared to be holding Khalistani flags, was briefly disrupted on Saturday when members of Destiny Church performed a haka along the parade route, prompting police to intervene.
Footage shared on social media by Destiny Church and The Freedoms & Rights Coalition leader Brian Tamaki showed members performing a haka on one side of the road while participants in the procession stood a few metres away.
Tamaki used social media to raise concerns about alleged display of Khalistan flags he said were being waved during the parade. Sharing a video, he asked:
“WHY ARE TERRORIST KHALISTAN FLAGS BEING FLOWN ON AUCKLAND STREETS?”
He further described the flags as linked to terrorism and asking why New Zealand would allow them:
“Let’s be clear: Khalistan is a terrorist organisation…not just a Sikh religion.”
In a series of posts on X, Tamaki wrote: “THIS IS OUR LAND. THIS IS OUR STAND. 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.”
He added:
“While parts of Manurewa were shut down for hours by Sikhs and Khalistan terrorists, who were wielding swords and daggers, flying foreign and terrorist flags, we reminded the country of something important.”
“This is New Zealand. These are our streets. This is land. The haka is not hate. It’s a line in the sand. It’s a challenge. “New Zealand is a Christian nation! Our God is Jesus Christ. One nation. One people. One law. One vote. One flag…under one God,” he observed.
Tamaki further claimed in another post that political leaders had “allowed this” and called for “sweeping change” in response.
The procession was organised by a local Gurudwara and saw participants walk about five kilometres along Great South Road.
Some community members participating in the event told The Indian Weekender that some Destiny Church members appeared to wait for the procession to conclude before performing the haka.
Police said around 50 people blocked Great South Road in an attempt to disrupt the parade. “Police acted swiftly to ensure the parade was able to safely continue, and additional officers escorted participants through the remainder of their route,” Inspector Matt Hoyes told The Indian Weekender.
It is reported that officers remained in the area to provide reassurance to the local Sikh community.
Manurewa Local Board member Marshal Walia highlighted concerns about safety and the potential for intimidation to The Indian Weekender.
Destiny Church, founded by Brian and Hannah Tamaki in 1998, has previously staged protests in Auckland, including a June march targeting immigration and non-Christian religions.
Tamaki has previously described the arrival of migrants as an “invasion” and has criticised Sikh parades for closing roads and displaying bladed weapons.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the procession concluded without further incident after police escorted Destiny Church members from the area.
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