Hindu religious flag torn and trampled during Christian protest march in New Zealand
Auckland, Auckland Region, New Zealand 
23 June, 2025
Case Summary
In Auckland, New Zealand, the Hindu religious flag was torn and trampled during a public protest led by Destiny Church. The protest was primarily directed against the presence and growth of minority faiths in New Zealand, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Sikhism. Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki claimed that "the spread of non-Christian religions is now out of control" and that "mass immigration has ruined Christian countries around the world." Protesters, many dressed in black and carrying New Zealand flags, marched down Queen Street while holding a large banner that read, "NZ’s official religion: Christianity." A particularly disturbing element of the protest was the public desecration of religious flags. The Hindu flag was torn and stomped on, followed by the performance of haka. Also, flags of other religions, like Buddhism, Islam, along with the Palestinian flag, were desecrated. Further, Tamaki used the platform to advocate for a hardline immigration stance, demanding a policy of “no immigration without assimilation.” He also claimed that New Zealand’s current secular position needed to be reversed, calling for Christianity to be recognised as the country’s official religion. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour publicly condemned the march, describing the church's messaging as “un-Kiwi” and contrary to New Zealand’s inclusive values. Police Minister Mark Mitchell also issued a strong statement, denouncing the use of "vile rhetoric and behaviour" and criticising the misuse of culturally sacred weapons during the protest.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added as a religiously motivated hate crime under the primary category- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Under this, the sub-category selected is- Desecration of Hindu religious symbol. Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. This incident qualifies as a religiously motivated hate crime because a Hindu flag was desecrated during a Christian protest march. Hindu iconography plays a central role in religious practice and belief, serving as a tangible representation of spiritual ideals. Symbols such as murtis, Om, and the flag are revered and integral to daily worship and cultural identity. The public tearing and trampling of Hindu flags during the Destiny Church protest in Auckland was not a random act of vandalism but a deliberate attack on sacred religious symbols. Such acts are driven by hostility toward the Hindu faith itself, as the desecration targets the very representations that hold spiritual and cultural significance for Hindus. By defiling these symbols in a public, performative, and ritualised manner (accompanied by haka), the perpetrators sought to humiliate and intimidate adherents of the Hindu faith. This makes the incident a clear case of hate-motivated targeting of a religious community. Disclaimer: It is important to clarify that the report does not specify the exact date when the march was organised. Therefore, for documentation purposes, we have recorded the date based on when the incident was reported in the media.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Christian Extremists
Perpetrators Range
Unknown
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
