AUCKLAND (Sachin Sharma): Sikh community's influence in New Zealand has increased outside the area of Auckland and Taraunga.It's not merely a claim but a fact, which has brought laurels for Punjabi community in New Zealand. Every Punjabi or Sikh connects himself to a gurdwara. The scenes in two main gurdwaras in Christchurch every week are quite heartening. Christchurch has become third main centre of Punjabis in New Zealand.
It's the second biggest city of New Zealand. It's not only the biggest city of South Island but also its financial center. Punjabis can be seen at every nook and corner of Christchurch which falls in Canterbury area. Whenever needed turban - wearing Sikh volunteers are seen serving Langar (community kitchen) to people across the city. That's the reason that Christchurch's media too is talking about the Sikh community. As per the 2019 census, Christchurch's population is 3, 78, 000, which is around sixty percent of Canterbury's total population of 6, 28, 000. According to Arvinder Singh, spokesperson of Christchurch's first gurdwara, New Zealand Sikh Society had set up Gurdawara Singh Sabha three years before the devastating earthquake of 2011, which was set up in an old church.
Gurdwara's buildings too had suffered damage in the earthquake. After this the Sikh community set up one gurdwara each in Woolston and Riccarton. According to Narinder Singh Waraich, president of Canterbury Punjabi Association,who haf come to New Zealand in 2009 as a student, there were around 1000