The photographer capturing the raw soul of multicultural New Zealand

A New Zealand-based photographer known for capturing the rawness of everyday life in Aotearoa has recently drawn attention online, particularly from the Indian community, after sharing a video of a gurudwara in Auckland distributing free food packages as part of an initiative organised by South Auckland’s Sikh community last month. 

“It’s part of our culture. We call it Seva,” one of the volunteers said in the video while describing the food distribution effort.

“That’s where we are able to provide to the community,” the volunteer added.

Photographer David Xiao who not only captured the video but also photographed volunteers at the gurudwara, titled the reel: “The Chivalry of Sikh Warriors in New Zealand.”

The video has since received widespread appreciation online, particularly from members of the Indian community, with many praising the Sikh community’s spirit of service and generosity.

David has been receiving a lot of love from New Zealand’s Indian community online. However, his work is not limited to one community alone, he captures all kinds of people, cultures and everyday moments across Aotearoa. Here are some glimpses from his lens.

Portraits by New Zealand photographer David Xiao

For 32-year-old David Xiao, photography goes beyond aesthetics. It is about documenting moments that reflect the character and diversity that make New Zealand what it is.

“I enjoy the thrill and art of capturing cool scenes. Photography is also a way to develop personally, gather more knowledge, keep fit and get social!,” he told The Indian Weekender.

David first began capturing photographs on his phone in 2024 and has since built a following of more than 11.8K followers on Instagram, where his reels often spotlight slices of ordinary life across the country.

One of his posts that particularly caught the attention of social media users across New Zealand featured a Sikh police officer. The reel, shared on Instagram and viewed more than 415K times, was titled: “Sikh warrior protects Aotearoa New Zealand with his life.”

The officer featured in the reel was Gulab Singh, a 36-year-old Kiwi-Indian police officer originally from Karnal, Haryana. Singh, who now serves as an Ethnic Liaison Officer with the New Zealand Police, has also been making his mark in athletics. Alongside his

policing and community outreach work, he has actively competed as a sprinter in the 60m, 100m and 200m events over recent years.

Before joining the police, Singh worked across several industries, including construction and later as a bakery manager. 

Speaking about featuring Singh in his work, David said the officer immediately stood out to him.

“I look for individuals who stand out from the crowd. So being a policeman but with uniform infused with Sikh culture, he was twice as cool,” he said.

Another portrait that resonated strongly with the Kiwi-Indian community featured a young Sikh man, at a market. Appearing to be one of the shopkeepers at a fruit stall, Singh, dressed in a pink turban, caught David’s attention.

The video, grounded in the simplicity of everyday life, also received widespread appreciation from social media users.

David said while he documents different realities through his lens, he naturally gravitates towards uplifting moments.

“I aim to capture both positive and negative. I am a happy person though so lean towards capturing positive moments more,” he shared.

Outside photography, David works full-time in sales, but says he is particularly drawn to capturing “impactful and emotional photographs”.

Scrolling through his Instagram also reveals glimpses from India, including the Taj Mahal, New Delhi, Jama Masjid, Railway stations, and lesser-seen corners of the country, reflecting the diversity and layered character of India beyond the usual tourist lens.

“India is the most exciting country I have ever visited in my life. Great people and a unique experience. I want to go back and explore more of it,” he shared with The Indian Weekender.

Davis shares his work on Instagram. His handle is @daviddxiao

New Zealand Photographer David Xiao