Tauranga has had the opportunity to experience a taste of Sikhism from their own backyard.

Turbans in Tauranga is an event which was hosted at the Strand waterfront on Saturday and gave residents a chance to meet Sikhs living within the community.

Residents were also able to try on a turban and fully immerse themselves within the culture.

Oropi residents Gary Behrend and Michael Cull were some of many who attended the event, which has been arranged by a Sikh youth organisation called Sikhs in the Bay.

'The weather may have been gloomy, but the warmth and generosity of the Sikh community certainly carried the day,” says Gary.

He says the day was a great chance to increase cultural understanding, awareness surrounding diversity and to celebrate equality.

'What a joyous occasion and celebration being treated to an opportunity to try wearing a Sikh turban, and indeed experience many more of the cultural aspects of Sikhism and its cuisine too.

'It was a celebration of the equality that underscores all - acknowledging humanity may wear colours as magnificently technicolour as the rich array of turbans there were to choose from.”

Photo: Gary Behrend.

Gary thanks the Sikh community.

'We certainly came away from the occasion, feeling so enriched from the enjoyment, peace and learning, which is actually what Sikh means – to ‘learn'.

'Here's hoping next year, many more folk will seize the opportunity to try on a turban, and transcend some new knowledge of who our fellow New Zealanders are.”

Photo: Gary Behrend.

Photos: Nikki South.