Haka and flag-burning: Why New Zealand is seeing anti-immigration protests

India Today

26-06-2025

"Faith, flag, family," chanted the crowd in Central Auckland as anti-immigration protestors gathered under the leadership of Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki. The demonstrators, many of whom performed the haka, tore, stomped on, and burned flags representing Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Palestine, each act of destruction followed by traditional war dances.The protest reflected a growing unease among some segments of New Zealand's population regarding the country's changing immigration landscape.advertisementTamaki, a radical religious leader known for courting controversy, made his intent clear. "The spread of non-Christian religions is now out of control," he said, adding that "Any type of immigration without assimilation is invasion."
The response from the country's leaders was swift and firm. Acting Prime Minister David Seymour called Tamaki's views "un-Kiwi".He also asserted that "New Zealand's great strength is that we are a nation of pioneers who moved here to give their children a better tomorrow."New Zealand's Police Minister Mark Mitchell also condemned the protest, describing the event and its use of sacred cultural practices as "vile rhetoric and behaviour," which, he said, had no place in the country.But New Zealand has seen a larger anti-immigration sentiment. Here's why.WHY AN IMMIGRATION PROBLEM IN NEW ZEALAND?The outburst in Auckland did not emerge in a vacuum.advertisementNew Zealand, a country of just over 5.3 million people, has seen a dramatic surge in migration since late 2022.
There has been a rise in migration to New Zealand after a lull in the Covid-19 years.
While the government has emphasised the need for skilled immigrants, particularly in areas like education, it has also sought to prioritise native citizens for jobs where there are no shortages."The government is focused on attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage," said Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. "At the same time we need to ensure that New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages."Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who leads the conservative National Party, has echoed this concern. Speaking to Radio New Zealand in December, Luxon said the country's high net migration rates did not "feel sustainable at all," according to a BBC report.New Zealand's housing crisis, worsened by record migration, has fuelled public frustration. The anti-immigration rhetoric is also a part of a global surge of protests against immigration.'FLOODGATES' FOR IMMIGRANTS IN NEW ZEALANDadvertisementCriticising the previous Labour government, Luxon said New Zealand's borders remained closed "at a time when employers were looking for workers [during the pandemic]... and then Labour opened the floodgates just as the economy was starting to slow".The consequences of this policy shift are now being debated across sectors.Some fear the influx of migrants could put further pressure on housing, pushing up rents and property prices. On the other hand, business groups argue that tightening visa rules too much could backfire.The Employers and Manufacturers Association expressed concern over the new visa restrictions. "We are supportive of ensuring we are bringing in the right workers, and that they are not exploited," said Alan McDonald, the association's Head of Advocacy."But we do need to make sure we get the balance right. Making it harder for motivated workers to come into New Zealand means they will go somewhere else that hurts business and means our economy misses out."Complicating the picture further is the steady parting of New Zealand natives themselves, many of whom are moving to Australia in search of better opportunities.advertisementIn 2023, New Zealand saw a record net loss of 47,000 citizens.The anti-immigration protest in Auckland, while extreme in its expression, reflects deeper anxieties simmering within sections of New Zealand. With a record outflow of citizens, increasing pressure on housing, and rising cultural tensions, New Zealand stands at a crossroads.- Ends