Sikhism in New Zealand: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|none}}
{{Infobox religious group
{{Infobox religious group
| group            = Sikhism in New Zealand {{flagicon|New Zealand}}<br>{{small|''Sikhism i Aotearoa''}}
| group            = Sikhism in New Zealand {{flagicon|New Zealand}}
| population      = '''40,908'''<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.stats.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/2018-Census-totals-by-topic/Download-data/2018-census-totals-by-topic-national-highlights.xlsx |title= 2018 census totals by topic|publisher= [[Statistics New Zealand]]| access-date= 24 September 2019}}</ref> <br /> '''0.88%''' of the total New Zealander population (2018)
| population      = '''53,406'''<ref name ="2023census">{{Cite web|url= https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?tm=occupation%2C%202023%20census&pg=0&hc[Society]=2023%20Census&hc[Census%20year]=2023&snb=4&vw=tb&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_TBT_004&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=raTotal%2Bra00000%2Bra10100%2Bra10101%2Bra10102%2Bra10103%2Bra10104%2Bra10105%2Bra10199%2Bra20000%2Bra20100%2Bra20102%2Bra20103%2Bra20199%2Bra20201%2Bra20301%2Bra20302%2Bra20400%2Bra20401%2Bra20402%2Bra20403%2Bra20499%2Bra20500%2Bra20502%2Bra20503%2Bra20599%2Bra20600%2Bra20601%2Bra20602%2Bra20603%2Bra20604%2Bra20605%2Bra20606%2Bra20699%2Bra20700%2Bra20701%2Bra20799%2Bra20801%2Bra20802%2Bra20803%2Bra20804%2Bra20901%2Bra21001%2Bra21101%2Bra21200%2Bra21201%2Bra21202%2Bra21203%2Bra21299%2Bra21300%2Bra21301%2Bra21302%2Bra21303%2Bra21304%2Bra21305%2Bra21399%2Bra21400%2Bra21401%2Bra21402%2Bra21403%2Bra21404%2Bra21405%2Bra21406%2Bra21407%2Bra21408%2Bra21409%2Bra21410%2Bra21411%2Bra21412%2Bra21413%2Bra21414%2Bra21415%2Bra21416%2Bra21417%2Bra21499%2Bra21501%2Bra21502%2Bra21503%2Bra21504%2Bra21505%2Bra21506%2Bra21507%2Bra21600%2Bra21701%2Bra21801%2Bra21802%2Bra29901%2Bra29902%2Bra29903%2Bra29905%2Bra29906%2Bra29908%2Bra29909%2Bra29910%2Bra29911%2Bra29999%2Bra30100%2Bra30101%2Bra30102%2Bra30103%2Bra30199%2Bra40100%2Bra40101%2Bra40102%2Bra40103%2Bra40104%2Bra40199%2Bra50100%2Bra50101%2Bra50102%2Bra50103%2Bra60000%2Bra60101%2Bra60201%2Bra60901%2Bra60999%2Bra70000%2Bra70101%2Bra70200%2Bra70201%2Bra70202%2Bra70203%2Bra70204%2Bra70205%2Bra70299%2Bra70301%2Bra70401%2Bra70901%2Bra70999%2Bra80000%2Bra80101%2Bra80200%2Bra80201%2Bra80202%2Bra80299%2Bra80301%2Bra80400%2Bra80401%2Bra80402%2Bra80403%2Bra80499%2Bra80601%2Bra80701%2Bra80702%2Bra80801%2Bra80901%2Bra81001%2Bra81101%2Bra81102%2Bra81103%2Bra81104%2Bra81105%2Bra81106%2Bra81107%2Bra81108%2Bra81109%2Bra81110%2Bra81111%2Bra81199%2Bra95555%2BraTS%2Bra94444%2Bra97777%2Bra98888%2Bra99999.2018%2B2023&ly[rw]=CEN23_TBT_IND_001&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001&to[TIME]=false |title= Totals by topic for individuals, (NZ total), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|publisher= [[Statistics New Zealand]]| access-date= 13 October 2024}}</ref> <br /> '''{{Percentage|53,406|4,993,923|2}}''' of the total New Zealander population (2023)
| popplace        = <!-- Only list top five states/territories with highest populations of Sikhs per latest census (2021) data -->
| popplace        = <!-- Only list top five states/territories with highest populations of Sikhs per latest census (2021) data -->
| region1          = [[Auckland Region|Auckland]]
| region1          =  
| region2          = [[Bay of Plenty]]
| region2          =  
| region3          = [[Waikato]]
| region3          =
| langs            = [[New Zealand English]] • [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]<br />{{smaller|[[Hindi]] • [[Urdu]] • [[Māori language|Māori]]}}
| langs            = [[New Zealand English]] • [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] • [[Māori language|Māori]]
| rels            = [[File:Khanda.svg|12px]] [[Sikhism]]
|related-c={{hlist|[[Sikhism in the United States|American Sikhs]]|[[Sikhism in Australia|Australian Sikhs]]|[[Sikhism in the United Kingdom|British Sikhs]]<br/>[[Sikhism in Canada|Canadian Sikhs]]}}
|image=File:Takanini Gurdwara 16 August 2020.jpg|image_caption=[[Takanini Gurdwara|Gurdwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib]] in [[Takanini]], [[Auckland Region]]
|image=File:Takanini Gurdwara 16 August 2020.jpg|image_caption=[[Takanini Gurdwara|Gurdwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib]] in [[Takanini]], [[Auckland Region]]
}}
|flag=Khanda (Sikh Symbol).svg|flag_size=50px}}
{{Historical populations
{{Historical populations
|type =
|type =
Line 18: Line 19:
|[[2013 New Zealand census|2013]] | 19,191
|[[2013 New Zealand census|2013]] | 19,191
|[[2018 New Zealand census|2018]] | 40,908
|[[2018 New Zealand census|2018]] | 40,908
|2023 |
|[[2023 New Zealand census|2023]] |53,406
|footnote = <ref name="2006table28">[http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006CensusHomePage/QuickStats/quickstats-about-a-subject/culture-and-identity.aspx Table 28, 2006 Census Data – QuickStats About Culture and Identity – Tables] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011125425/http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006CensusHomePage/QuickStats/quickstats-about-a-subject/culture-and-identity.aspx |date=2017-10-11 }}.</ref><ref name="2013table28">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/data-tables/total-by-topic.aspx|title=2013 Census totals by topic|website=archive.stats.govt.nz}}</ref>
|footnote = <ref name="2006table28">[http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006CensusHomePage/QuickStats/quickstats-about-a-subject/culture-and-identity.aspx Table 28, 2006 Census Data – QuickStats About Culture and Identity – Tables] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011125425/http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2006CensusHomePage/QuickStats/quickstats-about-a-subject/culture-and-identity.aspx |date=2017-10-11 }}.</ref><ref name="2013table28">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/data-tables/total-by-topic.aspx|title=2013 Census totals by topic|website=archive.stats.govt.nz}}</ref>
}}{{Sikhism sidebar}}
}}{{Sikhism sidebar}}
'''New Zealander Sikhs''' number over 40,000 people and account for 0.9% of New Zealand's population [[2018 New Zealand census|as of 2018]], forming the country's fastest-growing and [[Religion in New Zealand|fifth-largest]] religious group.
'''New Zealander Sikhs''' number over 53,000 people and account for 1.1% of New Zealand's population [[2023 New Zealand census|as of 2023]], forming the country's fastest-growing and [[Religion in New Zealand|fifth-largest]] religious group. New Zealand has the world's [[Sikhism by country|third-highest Sikh proportion]] behind [[Sikhism in Canada|Canada]] (2.1%) and [[Sikhism in India|India]] (1.7%). While there are Sikhs in all sixteen [[regions of New Zealand]], over half of Sikhs lived in [[Auckland Region]] in 2018.


[[Phomen Singh|The first Sikhs]] arrived in New Zealand in 1890,<ref name="Singh, Phomen" /> but the Immigration Act of 1899 prevented any large-scale migration.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/NewZealanders/NewZealandPeoples/ImmigrationRegulation/2/en|title=1881–1914: restrictions on Chinese and others|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/1367/19th-century-indian-immigrants|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |title=19th-century Indian immigrants }}</ref> In 1987, racial exclusion was scrapped and a race-neutral, points-based immigration system was introduced;<ref>{{cite web |title=Immigration Act 1987|url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1987/0074/latest/whole.html |website=New Zealand Legislation |access-date=13 October 2024}}</ref> by 1991 there were 2,061 Sikhs in New Zealand. Between [[2013 New Zealand census|2013]] and [[2018 New Zealand census|2018]], the number of Sikhs grew by 113% from 19,191 to 40,908, making Sikhism the fastest-growing religion and on pace to eclipse [[Islam in New Zealand|Islam]] and [[Buddhism in New Zealand|Buddhism]] by [[2023 New Zealand census|2023]] at the time.<ref name ="2023census"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/116295933/sikhs-in-new-zealand-have-tripled-in-number-since-2006|title=Sikhs in New Zealand have quadrupled in number since 2006|date=October 3, 2019|quote=Sikhism is booming faster than any other major religion in New Zealand, having more than doubled its number of followers here since 2013 – and more than quadrupled since 2006. [...] About 41,000 Sikhs now live here, according to the latest census figures. Sikhism has fewer followers in New Zealand than Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. But if all five faiths keep growing (or shrinking) at the same rates they did between 2013 and 2018, Sikhs will overtake Buddhists and Muslims in population by the next census.}}</ref> However, the crackdown on student visas and low-skilled workers starting in 2017 stifled Sikh population growth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/116295933/sikhs-in-new-zealand-have-tripled-in-number-since-2006|title=Sikhs in New Zealand have quadrupled in number since 2006|date=October 3, 2019|quote=But Labour's crackdown on low-skilled migrants and those on student visas, in 2017, had a major impact on Sikh migrants, he said. And Dr Singh doesn't expect the religion will have doubled in size again by 2023, due to "the main avenues of entering the country being shut".}}</ref> Between 2018 and 2023, the New Zealander Sikh population grew by 31%, failing to eclipse Islam and Buddhism although remaining the fastest-growing religion.<ref name ="2023census"/>
== History ==
Small numbers of [[Sikh]] immigrants from [[Punjab region|Punjab]] settled in New Zealand from the late 1800s. Large-scale Sikh immigration began after changes to immigration policies in the 1980s. The New Zealand Sikh Society was established in 1964 and first Sikh [[Gurdwara]] opened in 1977.<ref name="teara">{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Paul |title=Diverse religions - Sikhs |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/diverse-religions/page-6 |website=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref>
Small numbers of [[Sikh]] immigrants from [[Punjab region|Punjab]] settled in New Zealand from the late 1800s. Large-scale Sikh immigration began after changes to immigration policies in the 1980s. The New Zealand Sikh Society was established in 1964 and first Sikh [[Gurdwara]] opened in 1977.<ref name="teara">{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Paul |title=Diverse religions - Sikhs |url=http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/diverse-religions/page-6 |website=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref>
=== Sikh communities ===
{{See also|Punjabi New Zealanders}}
[[File:Photograph of Indian troops (including Sikhs) in Nelson, New Zealand, ca.1901.jpg|thumb|Photograph of Indian troops (including Sikhs) in Nelson, New Zealand, ca.1901. Nelson Provincial Museum.]]
The first identifiable Sikhs to arrive in New Zealand were two brothers - [[Phomen Singh|Phuman Singh]] and Bir Singh Gill from the [[Moga district]] of Punjab. Bir Singh was a herbalist who married and lived amongst the [[Māori people|Māori]] on the [[North Island]].<ref>{{cite web |date=13 November 2014 |title=Our Communities: Punjabis – indiannewslink.co.nz |url=https://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/our-communities-punjabis/ |access-date=15 March 2020 |website=www.indiannewslink.co.nz}}</ref> A small wave of Sikhs arrived in New Zealand between 1890 and 1910; mostly immigrants from [[Punjab region|Punjab]].<ref name="Singh, Phomen">{{cite web |last1=McLeod |first1=W. H. |title=Dictionary of New Zealand Biography |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3s20/singh-phomen |access-date=20 May 2019 |website=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref> Most Sikhs settled in [[Waikato]], [[Auckland]], [[Wellington]], or [[Christchurch]].
There is a significant history of many Sikhs being dairy farmers throughout New Zealand,{{citation needed|date=June 2013}} many of them being great pioneers. The majority are in the Waikato region and have been there for many generations. Much hard work was undertaken in terms of clearing scrub and tea trees to convert to farmland in the early years. Embracing the Māori culture was also an important aspect. Many of these farmers are well respected within and outside the community for the significant contribution they have made.
With the Sikh community in New Zealand increasing, the New Zealand Sikh Society was developed in 1964, and the first gurdwara was built in [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]] in 1977 and another in 1986 in [[Ōtāhuhu]]. With the increasing number of Sikhs in New Zealand, an increasing number of gurdwaras have been established across the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the NZSikh Society |url=http://www.nzsikhsociety.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415061507/http://www.nzsikhsociety.org/ |archive-date=2010-04-15 |access-date=2010-03-20}}</ref>
The number of people affiliating with the Sikh religion more than quadrupled since 2006. [[Papatoetoe]] in Auckland is considered to be the area with the most Sikhs in New Zealand and it has three sikh Gurudwaras in the suburb.
==Demographics==
==Demographics==
[[File:Sikhism in New Zealand (2023).jpg|thumb|Geographical Distribution of Sikhs in New Zealand as per 2023 Census]]
[[File:Geographical Distribution of Sikhs in New Zealand as per 2018 Census.png|thumb|Geographical Distribution of Sikhs in New Zealand as per 2018 Census]]
[[File:Geographical Distribution of Sikhs in New Zealand as per 2018 Census.png|thumb|Geographical Distribution of Sikhs in New Zealand as per 2018 Census]]
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ Sikh New Zealanders by [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]] (2018)
|+ Sikh New Zealanders by [[Regions of New Zealand|Region]] (2013-2023)<ref>{{cite web |title=Religious affiliation, age, and gender for the census usually resident population count, (RC, TALB, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses|url=https://explore.data.stats.govt.nz/vis?tm=religious%20affiliation%20bay%20of%20plenty&pg=0&snb=3&df[ds]=ds-nsiws-disseminate&df[id]=CEN23_ECI_025&df[ag]=STATSNZ&df[vs]=1.0&dq=2013%2B2018%2B2023.14%2B15%2B13%2B12%2B18%2B17%2B16%2B08%2B09%2B07%2B05%2B06%2B04%2B03%2B02%2B01%2B9999.999999%2B80601.99.99&ly[rw]=CEN23_GEO_008&ly[cl]=CEN23_YEAR_001%2CCEN23_REA_004&to[TIME]=false |website=[[Stats NZ]]|access-date=19 December 2024}}</ref>
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" |[[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
! rowspan="2" |[[Regions of New Zealand|Region]]
! colspan="2" |[[2018 New Zealand census]]<ref name="figure">{{cite web |title=Religious affiliations in the Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand|url=https://figure.nz/chart/K5hAmlDDPKAqwyjk |website=Figure NZ Trust|access-date=19 December 2022}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[2023 New Zealand census|2023]]
! colspan="2" |[[2018 New Zealand census|2018]]
! colspan="2" |[[2013 New Zealand census|2013]]
 
|-
|-
![[Population|Pop.]]
![[Population|Pop.]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
![[Population|Pop.]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
![[Population|Pop.]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
|-
|[[Auckland Region|Auckland]]
|[[Auckland Region|Auckland]]
| 28,401
| {{Percentage | 28,401| 1,656,486| 2 }}
| 23,832
| 23,832
| {{Percentage | 23,832| 1,571,718| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 23,832| 1,571,718| 2 }}
| 11,712
| {{Percentage | 11,712| 1,415,550| 2 }}
|-
|[[Waikato]]
| 6,795
| {{Percentage | 6,795| 498,771| 2 }}
| 4,074
| {{Percentage | 4,074| 458,202| 2 }}
| 1,875
| {{Percentage | 1,875| 403,641| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Bay of Plenty Region|Bay of Plenty]]
|[[Bay of Plenty Region|Bay of Plenty]]
| 6,324
| {{Percentage | 6,324| 334,140| 2 }}
| 4,842
| 4,842
| {{Percentage | 4,842| 308,499| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 4,842| 308,499| 2 }}
|-
| 2,748
|[[Waikato]]
| {{Percentage | 2,748| 267,741| 2 }}
| 4,074
| {{Percentage | 4,074| 458,202| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Canterbury, New Zealand|Canterbury]]
|[[Canterbury, New Zealand|Canterbury]]
| 4,842
| {{Percentage | 4,842| 651,027| 2 }}
| 2,973
| 2,973
| {{Percentage | 2,973| 599,694| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 2,973| 599,694| 2 }}
| 621
| {{Percentage | 621| 539,433| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Wellington Region|Wellington]]
|[[Wellington Region|Wellington]]
| 2,370
| {{Percentage | 2,370| 520,971| 2 }}
| 1,647
| 1,647
| {{Percentage | 1,647| 506,814| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 1,647| 506,814| 2 }}
| 612
| {{Percentage | 612| 471,315| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Hawke's Bay Region|Hawke's Bay]]
|[[Hawke's Bay Region|Hawke's Bay]]
| 1,650
| {{Percentage | 1,650| 175,074| 2 }}
| 1,347
| 1,347
| {{Percentage | 1,347| 166,368| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 1,347| 166,368| 2 }}
| 783
| {{Percentage | 783| 151,179| 2 }}
|-
|[[Manawatū-Whanganui]]
| 789
| {{Percentage | 789| 251,412| 2 }}
| 447
| {{Percentage | 447| 238,797| 2 }}
| 246
| {{Percentage | 246| 222,672| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Otago]]
|[[Otago]]
| 621
| {{Percentage | 621| 240,900| 2 }}
| 510
| 510
| {{Percentage | 510 | 225,186| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 510 | 225,186| 2 }}
|-
| 117
|[[Manawatū-Whanganui]]
| {{Percentage | 117| 202,470| 2 }}
| 447
| {{Percentage | 447| 238,797| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Northland Region|Northland]]
|[[Northland Region|Northland]]
| 480
| {{Percentage | 480| 194,007| 2 }}
| 315
| 315
| {{Percentage | 315| 179,076| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 315| 179,076| 2 }}
| 72
| {{Percentage | 72| 151,689| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Taranaki]]
|[[Taranaki]]
| 357
| {{Percentage | 357| 126,015| 2 }}
| 234
| 234
| {{Percentage | 234| 117,561| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 234| 117,561| 2 }}
| 102
| {{Percentage | 102| 109,608| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Southland, New Zealand|Southland]]
|[[Southland, New Zealand|Southland]]
| 255
| {{Percentage | 255| 100,143| 2 }}
| 210
| 210
| {{Percentage | 210| 97,467| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 210| 97,467| 2 }}
| 60
| {{Percentage | 60| 93,342| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Gisborne Region|Gisborne]]
|[[Gisborne Region|Gisborne]]
| 198
| {{Percentage | 198| 51,135| 2 }}
| 171
| 171
| {{Percentage | 171| 47,517| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 171| 47,517| 2 }}
| 84
| {{Percentage | 84| 43,653| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Marlborough Region|Marlborough]]
|[[Marlborough Region|Marlborough]]
| 108
| {{Percentage | 108| 49,431| 2 }}
| 123
| 123
| {{Percentage | 123| 47,340| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 123| 47,340| 2 }}
| 51
| {{Percentage | 51| 43,416| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]]
|[[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]]
| 105
| {{Percentage | 105| 52,584| 2 }}
| 102
| 102
| {{Percentage | 102| 50,880| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 102| 50,880| 2 }}
| 39
| {{Percentage | 39| 46,437| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[Tasman Region|Tasman]]
|[[Tasman Region|Tasman]]
| 60
| {{Percentage | 60| 57,807| 2 }}
| 51
| 51
| {{Percentage | 51| 52,389| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 51| 52,389| 2 }}
| 42
| {{Percentage | 42| 47,157| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]]
|[[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]]
| 45
| {{Percentage | 45| 33,390| 2 }}
| 33
| 33
| {{Percentage | 33| 31,575| 2 }}
| {{Percentage | 33| 31,575| 2 }}
| 24
| {{Percentage | 24| 32,148| 2 }}
|-
|-
|[[File:Flag of New Zealand.svg|20px]] '''New Zealand'''
|[[File:Flag of New Zealand.svg|20px]] '''New Zealand'''
| '''53,406'''
| '''{{Percentage | 53,406| 4,993,923| 2 }}'''
| '''40,908'''
| '''40,908'''
| '''{{Percentage | 40,908 | 4,699,755| 2 }}'''
| '''{{Percentage | 40,908 | 4,699,755| 2 }}'''
| '''19,191'''
| '''{{Percentage | 19,191| 4,242,048| 2 }}'''
|}
|}
==Sikh communities==
{{See also|Punjabi New Zealanders}}
[[File:Photograph of Indian troops (including Sikhs) in Nelson, New Zealand, ca.1901.jpg|thumb|Photograph of Indian troops (including Sikhs) in Nelson, New Zealand, ca.1901. Nelson Provincial Museum.]]
The first identifiable Sikhs to arrive in New Zealand were two brothers - [[Phomen Singh|Phuman Singh]] and Bir Singh Gill from the [[Moga district]] of Punjab. Bir Singh was a herbalist who married and lived amongst the [[Māori people|Māori]] on the [[North Island]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Communities: Punjabis – indiannewslink.co.nz |url=http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/our-communities-punjabis/ |website=www.indiannewslink.co.nz |access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref> A small wave of Sikhs arrived in New Zealand between 1890 and 1910; mostly immigrants from [[Punjab region|Punjab]].<ref name="Singh, Phomen">{{cite web |last1=McLeod |first1=W. H. |title=Dictionary of New Zealand Biography |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3s20/singh-phomen |website=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref> Most Sikhs settled in [[Waikato]], [[Auckland]], [[Wellington]], or [[Christchurch]].
There is a significant history of many Sikhs being dairy farmers throughout New Zealand,{{citation needed}} many of them being great pioneers. The majority are in the Waikato region and have been there for many generations. Much hard work was undertaken in terms of clearing scrub and tea trees to convert to farmland in the early years. Embracing the Māori culture was also an important aspect. Many of these farmers are well respected within and outside the community for the significant contribution they have made.
With the Sikh community in New Zealand increasing, the New Zealand Sikh Society was developed in 1964, and the first gurdwara was built in [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]] in 1977 and another in 1986 in [[Otahuhu]]. With the increasing number of Sikhs in New Zealand, an increasing number of gurdwaras have been established across the country.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nzsikhsociety.org/ |title=Welcome to the NZSikh Society |access-date=2010-03-20 |archive-date=2010-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415061507/http://www.nzsikhsociety.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The number of people affiliating with the Sikh religion more than quadrupled since 2006. [[Papatoetoe]] in Auckland is considered to be the area with the most Sikhs in New Zealand and it has three sikh Gurudwaras in the suburb.


==Gurdwaras==
==Gurdwaras==
[[File:Gurdwara Guru Ravidass Temple, Auckland.jpg|thumb|Gurdwara Guru Ravidass Temple, Auckland]]


 
[[File:Shri Guru Ravidass Temple Hastings, New Zealand, May 2025.jpg|thumb|Shri Guru Ravidass Temple, Hastings]]
[[File:Gurdwara Guru Ravidass Temple, Auckland.jpg|thumb|Gurdwara Guru Ravidass Temple, Auckland]]


[[File:New Zealand Central Sikh Association 18-09-2022.jpg|thumb|The first general meeting of the New Zealand Central Sikh Association on 18 September 2022 in Takanini.]]
[[File:New Zealand Central Sikh Association 18-09-2022.jpg|thumb|The first general meeting of the New Zealand Central Sikh Association on 18 September 2022 in Takanini.]]


 
The New Zealand Central Sikh Association, a centralised representative Sikh body comprising 25 Gurdwaras and various other organisation from across New Zealand was officially formed on 18 September 2022 at the [[Takanini Gurdwara|Sikh Library]] in [[Takanini]].<ref name="NZ Central Sikh Association">{{cite news |last1=Raman |first1=Venkat |title=Sikhs create a national body to foster unity and representation |url=https://indiannewslink.co.nz/sikhs-create-a-national-body-to-foster-unity-and-representation/ |access-date=19 September 2022 |agency=Indian Newslink |date=18 September 2022}}</ref>
The New Zealand Central Sikh Association, a centralised representative Sikh body comprising 25 Gurdwaras and various other organisation from across New Zealand was officially formed on 18 September 2022 at the [[Takanini Gurdwara|Sikh Library]] in [[Takanini]].<ref name="NZ Central Sikh Association">{{cite news |last1=Raman |first1=Venkat |title=Sikhs create a national body to foster unity and representation |url=https://indiannewslink.co.nz/sikhs-create-a-national-body-to-foster-unity-and-representation/ |access-date=19 September 2022 |agency=Indian Newslink }}</ref>


This is a list of Gurdwaras in New Zealand.
This is a list of Gurdwaras in New Zealand.
Line 242: Line 324:
* [[Ish Sodhi]] – Cricketer for [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand National Team]]
* [[Ish Sodhi]] – Cricketer for [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand National Team]]
* [[Kanwal Singh Bakshi]] – Former [[National Party of New Zealand|National Party]] MP
* [[Kanwal Singh Bakshi]] – Former [[National Party of New Zealand|National Party]] MP
* [[Parmjeet Parmar]] - ACT MP
* [[Sukhi Turner]] – Former mayor of [[Dunedin]]
* [[Sukhi Turner]] – Former mayor of [[Dunedin]]
* [[Bhupinder Singh (New Zealand cricketer)|Bhupinder Singh]] - Former Cricketer for [[Auckland cricket team]]
* [[Bhupinder Singh (New Zealand cricketer)|Bhupinder Singh]] - Former Cricketer for [[Auckland cricket team]]
* [[Amandeep Singh (cricketer)| Amandeep Singh]] - Former Cricketer for [[Canterbury Wizards]]
* [[Amandeep Singh (cricketer)| Amandeep Singh]] - Former Cricketer for [[Canterbury Wizards]]
* [[Phomen Singh]]- Early Sikh migrant to New Zealand (circa 1890)
* [[Jagt Singh|Jagt Singh-]] WWI soldier for New Zealand Army


==See also==
==See also==
 
{{Portal|Sikhism|New Zealand}}
*[[Religion in New Zealand]]
*[[Religion in New Zealand]]
* [[Sikhism in Australia]]
*[[New Zealand Sikh Games]]
* [[Sikhism in Canada]]
* [[Sikhism in the United Kingdom]]
* [[Sikhism in the United States]]
* [[Sikhism in Fiji]]
*[[Sikh diaspora]]
*[[Sikh diaspora]]
*[[Sikhism by country]]
*[[Sikhism by country]]
*[[Punjabi New Zealanders]]
*[[Punjabi New Zealanders]]
*[[Girmitiyas]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}


== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last=McLeod |first=W. H. |title=Punjabis in New Zealand: A History of Punjabi Migration, 1890-1940 |publisher=Guru Nanak Dev University |year=1986}}
{{Religion in New Zealand}}
{{Religion in New Zealand}}
{{Oceania topic|Sikhism in}}
{{Oceania topic|Sikhism in}}

Revision as of 10:57, 8 March 2026


Sikhism in New Zealand New Zealand
Gurdwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib in Takanini, Auckland Region
Gurdwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib in Takanini, Auckland Region
Total population
53,406[1]
1.07% of the total New Zealander population (2023)
Languages
New Zealand English • Punjabi • Māori
Related ethnic groups
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1991 2,061—    
1996 2,817+36.7%
2001 5,199+84.6%
2006 9,507+82.9%
2013 19,191+101.9%
2018 40,908+113.2%
2023 53,406+30.6%
[2][3]
Part of a series on
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New Zealander Sikhs number over 53,000 people and account for 1.1% of New Zealand's population as of 2023, forming the country's fastest-growing and fifth-largest religious group. New Zealand has the world's third-highest Sikh proportion behind Canada (2.1%) and India (1.7%). While there are Sikhs in all sixteen regions of New Zealand, over half of Sikhs lived in Auckland Region in 2018.

The first Sikhs arrived in New Zealand in 1890,[4] but the Immigration Act of 1899 prevented any large-scale migration.[5][6] In 1987, racial exclusion was scrapped and a race-neutral, points-based immigration system was introduced;[7] by 1991 there were 2,061 Sikhs in New Zealand. Between 2013 and 2018, the number of Sikhs grew by 113% from 19,191 to 40,908, making Sikhism the fastest-growing religion and on pace to eclipse Islam and Buddhism by 2023 at the time.[1][8] However, the crackdown on student visas and low-skilled workers starting in 2017 stifled Sikh population growth.[9] Between 2018 and 2023, the New Zealander Sikh population grew by 31%, failing to eclipse Islam and Buddhism although remaining the fastest-growing religion.[1]

History

Small numbers of Sikh immigrants from Punjab settled in New Zealand from the late 1800s. Large-scale Sikh immigration began after changes to immigration policies in the 1980s. The New Zealand Sikh Society was established in 1964 and first Sikh Gurdwara opened in 1977.[10]

Sikh communities

See also: Punjabi New Zealanders
Photograph of Indian troops (including Sikhs) in Nelson, New Zealand, ca.1901. Nelson Provincial Museum.

The first identifiable Sikhs to arrive in New Zealand were two brothers - Phuman Singh and Bir Singh Gill from the Moga district of Punjab. Bir Singh was a herbalist who married and lived amongst the Māori on the North Island.[11] A small wave of Sikhs arrived in New Zealand between 1890 and 1910; mostly immigrants from Punjab.[4] Most Sikhs settled in Waikato, Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch.

There is a significant history of many Sikhs being dairy farmers throughout New Zealand,[citation needed] many of them being great pioneers. The majority are in the Waikato region and have been there for many generations. Much hard work was undertaken in terms of clearing scrub and tea trees to convert to farmland in the early years. Embracing the Māori culture was also an important aspect. Many of these farmers are well respected within and outside the community for the significant contribution they have made.

With the Sikh community in New Zealand increasing, the New Zealand Sikh Society was developed in 1964, and the first gurdwara was built in Hamilton in 1977 and another in 1986 in Ōtāhuhu. With the increasing number of Sikhs in New Zealand, an increasing number of gurdwaras have been established across the country.[12]

The number of people affiliating with the Sikh religion more than quadrupled since 2006. Papatoetoe in Auckland is considered to be the area with the most Sikhs in New Zealand and it has three sikh Gurudwaras in the suburb.

Demographics

Geographical Distribution of Sikhs in New Zealand as per 2023 Census
Geographical Distribution of Sikhs in New Zealand as per 2018 Census
Sikh New Zealanders by Region (2013-2023)[13]
Region 2023 2018 2013
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Auckland 28,401 1.71% 23,832 1.52% 11,712 0.83%
Waikato 6,795 1.36% 4,074 0.89% 1,875 0.46%
Bay of Plenty 6,324 1.89% 4,842 1.57% 2,748 1.03%
Canterbury 4,842 0.74% 2,973 0.5% 621 0.12%
Wellington 2,370 0.45% 1,647 0.32% 612 0.13%
Hawke's Bay 1,650 0.94% 1,347 0.81% 783 0.52%
Manawatū-Whanganui 789 0.31% 447 0.19% 246 0.11%
Otago 621 0.26% 510 0.23% 117 0.06%
Northland 480 0.25% 315 0.18% 72 0.05%
Taranaki 357 0.28% 234 0.2% 102 0.09%
Southland 255 0.25% 210 0.22% 60 0.06%
Gisborne 198 0.39% 171 0.36% 84 0.19%
Marlborough 108 0.22% 123 0.26% 51 0.12%
Nelson 105 0.2% 102 0.2% 39 0.08%
Tasman 60 0.1% 51 0.1% 42 0.09%
West Coast 45 0.13% 33 0.1% 24 0.07%
New Zealand 53,406 1.07% 40,908 0.87% 19,191 0.45%

Gurdwaras

Gurdwara Guru Ravidass Temple, Auckland
Shri Guru Ravidass Temple, Hastings
The first general meeting of the New Zealand Central Sikh Association on 18 September 2022 in Takanini.

The New Zealand Central Sikh Association, a centralised representative Sikh body comprising 25 Gurdwaras and various other organisation from across New Zealand was officially formed on 18 September 2022 at the Sikh Library in Takanini.[14]

This is a list of Gurdwaras in New Zealand.

Name Location Region
Begampura Gurdwara 1/9 Vernon St, Papakura 2110 Auckland
Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib Papakura 7/46 Broadway, Papakura 2110 Auckland
Gurdwara Jagat Guru Nanak Sahib 29 Kilmarnock St, Riccarton, Christchurch 8011 Canterbury
Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur 23 Bryant Rd, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3200 Waikato
Gurdwara Shri Fateh Sahib Botanical Rd, West End, Palmerston North 4412 Manawatu-Wanganui
Gurdwara Shri Guru Ravidass Temple Hastings 193 Havelock Nth Road, Hastings Hawke's Bay
Gurdwara Sikh Sangat Tauranga 43 Burrows St, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112 Bay of Plenty
Gurdwara Singh Sabha Christchurch 537 Ferry Rd, Woolston, Christchurch 8023 Canterbury
Gurdwara Sri Dasmesh Darbar 158 Kolmar Rd, Papatoetoe 2025 Auckland
Gurdwara Sri Guru Amardas Sahib Ji 24 Ward Ave, Fenton Park, Rotorua 3010 Bay of Plenty
Gurdwara Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Patshahi 6 84 Lady Ruby Dr, Dannemora 2013 Auckland
Gurdwara Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib 3034 Great North Rd, New Lynn 0600 Auckland
Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Otahuhu 120 Princes St, Otahuhu 1062 Auckland
Gurdwara Sri Guru Ravidas Temple 1998 Great S Rd, Bombay 2675 Auckland
Gurdwara Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji 24 Dunnotar Rd, Papatoetoe 2025 Auckland
Gurdwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib Takanini 70 Takanini School Rd, Takanini 2112 Auckland
Gurdwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib Tauranga 322 Cheyne Rd, Pyes Pa 3112 Bay of Plenty
Hastings Gurdwara 402 Eastbourne St E, Hastings 4122 Hawke's Bay
Linwood Gurdwara 692 Gloucester St, Linwood, Christchurch 8062 Canterbury
Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar 100 Great South Rd, Manurewa 2102 Auckland
New Zealand Sikh Society Hamilton 6391 Te Rapa Rd, Horotiu 3288 Waikato
North Shore Gurdwara 128 Sunnybrae Rd, Hillcrest 0627 Auckland
Palmerston North Gurdwara 7 Amesbury St, Palmerston North 4410 Manawatu-Wanganui
Sri Guru Singh Sabha 127 Shirley Rd, Papatoetoe 2025 Auckland
Wellington Gurudwara 4-10 Vogel St, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5011 Wellington
Whangarei Gurudwara Sahib 23 Water St, Whangarei 0110 Northland

Notable Sikhs

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Totals by topic for individuals, (NZ total), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  2. ↑ Table 28, 2006 Census Data – QuickStats About Culture and Identity – Tables Archived 2017-10-11 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ "2013 Census totals by topic". archive.stats.govt.nz.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 McLeod, W. H. "Dictionary of New Zealand Biography". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  5. ↑ "1881–1914: restrictions on Chinese and others". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  6. ↑ "19th-century Indian immigrants". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  7. ↑ "Immigration Act 1987". New Zealand Legislation. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  8. ↑ "Sikhs in New Zealand have quadrupled in number since 2006". October 3, 2019. Sikhism is booming faster than any other major religion in New Zealand, having more than doubled its number of followers here since 2013 – and more than quadrupled since 2006. [...] About 41,000 Sikhs now live here, according to the latest census figures. Sikhism has fewer followers in New Zealand than Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. But if all five faiths keep growing (or shrinking) at the same rates they did between 2013 and 2018, Sikhs will overtake Buddhists and Muslims in population by the next census.
  9. ↑ "Sikhs in New Zealand have quadrupled in number since 2006". October 3, 2019. But Labour's crackdown on low-skilled migrants and those on student visas, in 2017, had a major impact on Sikh migrants, he said. And Dr Singh doesn't expect the religion will have doubled in size again by 2023, due to "the main avenues of entering the country being shut".
  10. ↑ Morris, Paul. "Diverse religions - Sikhs". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  11. ↑ "Our Communities: Punjabis – indiannewslink.co.nz". www.indiannewslink.co.nz. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  12. ↑ "Welcome to the NZSikh Society". Archived from the original on 2010-04-15. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
  13. ↑ "Religious affiliation, age, and gender for the census usually resident population count, (RC, TALB, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  14. ↑ Raman, Venkat (18 September 2022). "Sikhs create a national body to foster unity and representation". Indian Newslink. Retrieved 19 September 2022.

Further reading

  • McLeod, W. H. (1986). Punjabis in New Zealand: A History of Punjabi Migration, 1890-1940. Guru Nanak Dev University.

Template:Religion in New Zealand

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