ISSUE
Friday, August 22, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 73
A team of more than 10 Aucklanders, across all age groups, performed the Garden City's biggest-ever Gatka last week at Gurudwara Singh Sabha Christchurch, which is managed by the New Zealand Sikh Society, South Island (Inc.).
Gatka is a traditional martial art form historically associated with the Sikh gurus, is popular among the masses, and performed regularly in gurudwaras, nagar kirtans and akharas.
Notably, it is now being recognised as a sport in India with the formation of Gatka Federation of India, which regularly organises national competitions played by trained Gatka players.
Jitender Sahi, spokesman of the Society noted, “Among those who performed were many children, who were born and brought up in New Zealand. It was so good to see how Sikh culture is persevered and growing here, especially among our next generation.”
Mr Sahi also informed that the new building of Gurudwara Singh Sabha Christchurch has been identified at the Stanmore Road and the Society has applied for resource consent from the City Council.
“After our original building was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake, we have looked at various options. In the meantime, we have operated from the temporary premises of Landsdowne Terrace. Now, with the process already underway, hopefully, the Gurudwara at Stanmore Road will be operational [weekly Sri Sukhmani Sahib Path, kirtan and langar] early next year.”
A team of more than 10 Aucklanders, across all age groups, performed the Garden City's biggest-ever Gatka last week at Gurudwara Singh Sabha Christchurch, which is managed by the New Zealand Sikh Society, South Island (Inc.).
Gatka is a traditional martial art form historically associated with the...
A team of more than 10 Aucklanders, across all age groups, performed the Garden City's biggest-ever Gatka last week at Gurudwara Singh Sabha Christchurch, which is managed by the New Zealand Sikh Society, South Island (Inc.).
Gatka is a traditional martial art form historically associated with the Sikh gurus, is popular among the masses, and performed regularly in gurudwaras, nagar kirtans and akharas.
Notably, it is now being recognised as a sport in India with the formation of Gatka Federation of India, which regularly organises national competitions played by trained Gatka players.
Jitender Sahi, spokesman of the Society noted, “Among those who performed were many children, who were born and brought up in New Zealand. It was so good to see how Sikh culture is persevered and growing here, especially among our next generation.”
Mr Sahi also informed that the new building of Gurudwara Singh Sabha Christchurch has been identified at the Stanmore Road and the Society has applied for resource consent from the City Council.
“After our original building was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake, we have looked at various options. In the meantime, we have operated from the temporary premises of Landsdowne Terrace. Now, with the process already underway, hopefully, the Gurudwara at Stanmore Road will be operational [weekly Sri Sukhmani Sahib Path, kirtan and langar] early next year.”
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