The Sikh community has emerged as the fastest growing religious population in New Zealand. According to the recently released 2023 census data, the number of Sikhs in New Zealand is 53,406, which is 1% of the country’s total population of 49,93,923. Over the past decade, this number has almost tripled. However, the growth rate of the Sikh population had declined after 2018.
According to a report in the Times of India, the number of followers of the Sikh religion in 2013 was 19,191, which increased to 40,908 in 2018. This growth rate was 113%. However, between 2018 and 2023, this growth was 31%. The reason behind this is being said to be the restrictions on student visas and low-skilled workers implemented in 2017. Despite this, Sikhism remains the fastest growing religion in New Zealand.
Status of other religious communities According to the census, the number of Hindus in New Zealand has increased to 1,42,008, up from 89,085 in 2013 and 1,21,644 in 2018. However, many of these Hindus are not of Indian origin, as they are immigrants from Fiji. At the same time, New Zealand’s Christian population has recorded a decline. Christian denominations such as Anglican, Catholic and Methodist have seen a decline. In addition, more than 50% of New Zealanders now describe themselves as non-religious.
History and Contributions of the Sikh Community
Sikhs were first identified in New Zealand in the 1890s when two brothers, Phumman Singh and Bir Singh Gill, arrived from Punjab. During the early period, Sikh immigrants established their roots in areas such as Waikato, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. They were mainly active in dairy farming and agriculture and also adopted Māori culture. In the 1980s, New Zealand’s immigration policy changed, ending racial discrimination and replacing it with a points-based system. After this, large-scale migration of the Sikh community began. By 1991, the number of Sikhs in New Zealand was 2,061. Sikh Gurdwaras and Cultural Heritage The first Sikh Gurdwara in New Zealand was built in 1977 at Rapa (Hamilton). This was followed by a second Gurdwara in Otahwah in 1986.
The number of Sikh Gurdwaras in New Zealand is constantly increasing. On September 18, 2022, the New Zealand Central Sikh Association was established, representing 25 Gurdwaras and various organizations. It was formed by 25 Guru Ghars, organizations working in the field of social welfare and active clubs in sports. The first president of the New Zealand Central Sikh Association (Incorporated) was S. Daljit Singh. The senior leader S. Prithipal Singh Basra was the chairman of the organization, the secretary general. Karamjit Singh Talwar, the vice president. The chairperson of the women’s wing was Bibi Jeet Kaur, the chairperson of youth affairs was Amritpal Singh Mann. Their aim is to work in a policy manner on the problems and issues of the Sikh community from all over the country. The selection was made after looking at the performance of all the elected primary members of the organization in the last two years.
It is worth mentioning here that by the next census of New Zealand, the Sikh community will cross the number of one lakh and will become 2% of the population of the country. At such a time, the local community has been in need of such a central and democratic national organization for a long time. Which will now prove to be a common platform for the entire Sikh community through the medium of the New Zealand Central Sikh Association. New Zealand Sikhs have set a new example by denying the battles over the Golak and the presidency.
The Papatoetoe area of Auckland is considered the center of the Sikh community, where three Gurdwaras are located.
Economic and social contribution
The Sikh community has made a significant contribution to the New Zealand economy. Sikh immigrants have made their mark through hard work, especially in dairy farming and other agricultural businesses. Their efforts have not only strengthened the Sikh community, but have also earned it respect among the local Maori and other communities. New Zealand Sikhs are joining the police and army. During 2024, 26-year-old Navdeep Singh was inducted into the New Zealand Army. Navdeep is currently serving in the army as a logistics specialist.
Louis Singh Khalsa, who is an Amritdhari white Sikh. His English name was Louis Talbot, who took Amrit at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib and then joined the New Zealand Army.
Prominent Sikhs include Sukhi Turner, who was the Mayor of Dunedin from 1995 to 2004, and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, who became New Zealand’s first Sikh MP when he was elected on the National Party list in 2008.
Challenges and future prospects
Although the Sikh community has been growing rapidly in New Zealand, their growth rate has declined since 2018. This was mainly due to changes in visa policies and limited access for low-skilled workers. Despite this, the Sikh community in New Zealand is larger in number than Islam and Buddhism. The growing number of Sikhs in New Zealand and their cultural contribution clearly shows that they have added a dimension to the diversity of the country.
Although the traditional clothing and artefacts of Sikh culture promote Sikh social cohesion and identity, they also differentiate them from other New Zealanders and are sometimes a cause for concern. For example, wearing the kirpan in schools and on domestic flights has been an issue. In Nelson in 2008
A Sikh police officer became the first person to incorporate a turban into his uniform. In 2009, the Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club refused entry to a Sikh man wearing his turban, leading to an official complaint being made to the Human Rights Commission.
Whether it is religious tolerance, economic contribution, or cultural exchange, the Sikh community has made a mark in every field. Sikhs have been prominent in the New Zealand government due to their leadership in the field of humanitarian service.
