Sikhism in New Zealand

Although Indians have lived in the country since at least 1810, the first confirmed Sikhs to live in New Zealand were two brothers - Phunam Singh and Bir Singh Gill. Bir Singh, from the Moga district of Punjab, was a herbalist who married and lived among the Maori on the North Island.[3] 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 Punjabis being dairy farmers throughout New Zealand, 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 Maori 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 New Zealand Sikh Temple was built in Hamilton in 1977 and another in 1986 in Otahuhu. With the increasing number of Sikhs in New Zealand, an increasing number of gurdwaras are being built.[5]

The number of people affiliating with the Sikh religion more than tripled since 2006. In 2018 there were more than 40,000 Sikhs in New Zealand.

There are around 150,000 Sikhs in London to the 40,000 Sikhs in New Zealand with 1.54% of London’s population following the Sikh religion against New Zealand's 0.88%.

Gurdwara Guru Ravidass Temple, Auckland

This is a list of Gurdwaras in New Zealand.

• Ish Sodhi – New Zealand national cricketer
• Kanwal Singh Bakshi – National Party MP
• Sukhi Turner – former mayor of Dunedin

• Religion in New Zealand
• Sikh diaspora
• Sikhism by country