Gurudwaras in New Zealand are not just a place of worship but also a cultural centre and there is a strong Sikh presence in the country. These Gurdwaras serve as sanctuaries, provide spiritual wisdom and celebrate Sikh principles of equality, service and love. The majority of gurdwaras also take part in interfaith discourses, environmental programs and social welfare activities, which help to solidify their bond with the wider community. At these gurdwaras, you can embrace Sikh traditions, hear life-changing kirtan, and engage in seva (selfless service), which creates a unique side of New Zealand spirituality.
10 Popular Gurudwaras In New Zealand
Gurudwaras in New Zealand, each serve an essential function in the Sikh community and offer a shelter to others from different backgrounds.
1. Gurdwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib, Takanini, Auckland
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Gurudwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib is one of the big and popular Gurudwara in New Zealand. It was created to meet the needs of Auckland’s burgeoning Sikh population and is a key part of the religious, social and cultural life of its local community. The Gurudwara also boasts a large prayer hall, a fully equipped langar (community kitchen) and free meals every day, and a library of Sikh literature. It proactively invests in community development via charitable endeavours, food drives and learning initiatives.
Timings: 4 AM – 9 PM
Nearby Attractions: Auckland Botanic Gardens, Rainbow’s End Theme Park
Special Events: Kirtan Darbars, Punjabi language classes, blood donation camps
2. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sikh Sangat, Ōtāhuhu
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Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sikh Sangat in Ōtāhuhu is an important religious and cultural centre for Sikhs in South Auckland. It is a place of worship and community service, where Sikhs from around the world gather for daily prayers and kirtan recitals. It has a big congregation and is active in various charitable work, including distributing food and providing cash assistance for needy families. It is where immigrants from all parts of the world come to connect spiritually and physically, making it a crucial place for new immigrants and also for people who lived there for a long time.
Timings: 5 AM – 8:30 PM
Nearby Attractions: Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill, Ōtāhuhu Market
Special Events: Weekly kirtan samagams, youth engagement programs
3. New Zealand Sikh Society Gurudwara, Hamilton
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Gurudwara Nankana Sahib is situated in Te Rapa, in the Hamilton Metropolitan area, and serves as a worship place for the Sikhs of the Waikato region. It was founded by the New Zealand Sikh Society and serves as a place to promote Sikh teachings and values and to undertake worship, community bonding and education. The Gurudwara contains a large prayer hall, a functioning langar, and classrooms for Punjabi and Gurbani teaching. It also participates in local welfare initiatives, such as food drives and educational programs for children and adults.
Timings: 5 AM – 9 PM
Nearby Attractions: Hamilton Gardens, Waikato Museum, Te Rapa Racecourse
Special Events: Gurpurab celebrations, Sikh martial arts demonstrations
4. Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Papatoetoe
Photo: 源義信 / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most important Sikh temples in Auckland is Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha. Located in Papatoetoe, this Gurudwara serves as both a place of worship and a resource for Sikh education and community service. The temple offers free Punjabi and Gurbani classes for children, ensuring younger generations remain connected to their roots. It runs large-scale drives for food, a medical camp and welcome programs for new immigrants to help them. It is beautifully designed and provides a very peaceful atmosphere to meditate or pray.
Timings: 4:30 AM – 9 PM
Nearby Attractions: Manukau City Centre, Butterfly Creek, Ambury Regional Park
Special Events: Akhand Path readings, interfaith dialogue events
5. Nanaksar Sikh Temple, Manurewa
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Manurewa’s Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar practices the ways of the Nanaksar sect, whose followers practice continuous kirtan and deeper spiritual practices. This Gurudwaras in New Zealand is known for its simplicity and also its strict adherence to the principles of Sikhism. As with most gurdwaras, it does not receive monetary donations and encourages devotees to create offerings to the community through voluntary service (seva). The langar served here has been prepared strictly under the tradition and is widely known for its chastity as well as simplicity.
Timings: 5:30 AM – 9 PM
Nearby Attractions: Auckland Botanic Gardens, Totara Park, Westfield Manukau
Special Events: Continuous kirtan sessions, scripture recitations
6. Gurudwara Singh Sabha Christchurch
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This Gurudwara in Christchurch New Zealand, is the main Sikh temple of worship in the South Island. Founded to meet the needs of the expanding Sikh population in Canterbury, this Gurudwara is a hub for spiritual education, community service, and cultural preservation. Daily prayers and kirtan sessions are held amid a tranquil atmosphere, while the weekly diwans draw large gatherings of followers. It is also home to the langar hall, which serves free vegetarian meals to visitors of all faiths and backgrounds.
Timings: 5 AM – 8 PM
Nearby Attractions: Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, Riccarton House and Bush
Special Events: Vaisakhi celebrations, kirtan programs, food donation drives
7. Gurudwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, Hamilton
Photo: Amritpal Singh Mann / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Gurudwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji is a Gurudwaras in New Zealand dedicated to Mata Sahib Kaur, a figure sometimes referred to as the spiritual mother of the Khalsa. Women in Sikh history and society are especially highlighted at the gurdwara. It offers kirtan classes, leadership training and self-defence workshops, especially for Sikh women and youth. The temple is all about spiritual teachings wrapped in social empowerment, and they offer weekly sessions on hymns for guidance on ethical living and langar for all.
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
Nearby Attractions: Hamilton Zoo, Waikato River, Claudelands Park
Special Events: Annual women’s kirtan festival, inter-community cultural exchange
8. Shri Dashmesh Darbar, Papatoetoe
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Shri Dashmesh Darbar, Papatoetoe, Auckland, is dedicated to the tenth prophet of the Sikh faith, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This gurudwara in New Zealand has a strong emphasis on Sikh martial traditions and discipline. It also regularly holds Gatka (Sikh martial arts) training to preserve an integral part of the Sikh heritage. It also arranges religious discourses, kirtan programs and langar services, inviting people from all walks of life. The temple is also involved in community service, runs aid programs for the homeless and organises free medical check-up camps.
Timings: 4:30 AM – 9 PM
Nearby Attractions: Manukau Harbour, Papatoetoe Recreation Grounds
Special Events: Sikh martial arts workshops, Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan
9. Bay Of Plenty Gurudwara, Te Puke
Photo: Gagan0203 / Wikimedia Commons
Bay of Plenty Gurdwara, located in Te Puke, the hub of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry, acts as a spiritual and cultural hub for the Sikh farming community. The Gurudwara also has daily prayers, Gurbani kirtan, and a functional langar that serves free meals to visitors. Here, the Sikh migrant workers in particular rely heavily on the Gurudwara for help, as it has developed into an active space where employment advice, legal aid, and community networking take place. Weekly Punjabi language and Gurbani classes are conducted to maintain cultural and religious continuity in the younger generation.
Timings: 5 AM – 8 PM
Nearby Attractions: Papamoa Hills Regional Park, Te Puke Heritage Walk, Kiwi Orchard Tours
Special Events: Annual Gurpurab celebrations, migrant support seminars, food donation drives
10. Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Tauranga
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This is a Gurudwara in an interesting location, giving us a view of the coastline while maintaining devotion and meditation. The peaceful atmosphere at this Gurudwara draws locals from the area for learning about Sikhism. It has regular kirtan programs, Akhand Path readings, and discourses on Lord Krishna, which certainly sets a spiritual tone. This Gurudwara also emphasises seva, regularly holding charity drives, and initiating environmental as well as interfaith activities for harmony.
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
Nearby Attractions: Papamoa Beach, Mount Maunganui, McLaren Falls Park
Special Events: Beachside kirtan, environmental seva projects, interfaith dialogues
Gurudwaras In New Zealand, through spiritual guidance, free meals and charitable outreach, maintain the sacred Sikh values of equality, altruism and devotion. Lengthen your stay if you want a space for meditation, education or volunteering and spend time in a spiritually fulfilling atmosphere. Plan your visit with TripXL to these gurdwaras, which continue to promote unity, peace, and spiritual growth in the multicultural landscape of New Zealand society.
Cover Photo: Amritpal Singh Mann / Wikimedia Commons