GNFK

Serving humanity, one hot meal at a time.

We’re Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen: Sikh volunteers who serve everyone, as equals. Today that starts with a free, hot, vegetarian meal for anyone who wants one.

Get involved Need support?
Volunteers in orange hi-vis vests and turbans serve hot food from steel pots along a row of tables under the library canopy, while a long line of guests waits with plates. A banner behind them reads Langar, Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen.

The fundamentals of langar

ਲੰਗਰ

Langar is a free community kitchen. Every gurdwara in the world has one.

Anyone can sit down and eat, whatever their religion, caste, gender, wealth or background. You don’t need to be Sikh. You don’t need to explain yourself. You are a guest, and guests get fed.

Where it began

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, was born in 1469. He grew up in a society divided by caste, where who you could eat with said who you were.

Langar was his practical answer. Cook together. Sit together. Eat together. Nobody above anybody else.

Four ideas at the heart of it

  • ਸੇਵਾ

    Seva

    Selfless service. The meal is cooked and served by volunteers, for nothing in return.

  • ਪੰਗਤ

    Pangat

    Everyone sits and eats together, side by side, as equals.

  • ਵੰਡ ਛਕਣਾ

    Vand Chhakna

    Share what you have with others. Whatever is in the pot is for everyone.

  • ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ

    Sarbat da Bhala

    The wellbeing of all humanity. Not one group. Everyone.

Why it’s vegetarian

The food is always vegetarian, so people of every faith and every diet can eat from the same pot, at the same table.

people a day

That’s roughly how many eat at the langar of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, every day. On Lorne Street we’re a little smaller. The idea is the same.

How GNFK started

ਸਾਡੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ

  1. Edinburgh

    As a student, our founder Parneet Kohli visits Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen in Edinburgh. The idea sticks.

  2. 2017

    The Sikh youth group holds the first Auckland kitchen as a one-off. The support is so strong it becomes monthly.

    Guests and a volunteer in a turban and hi-vis vest sit together at a long wooden outdoor table, eating from paper plates.

  3. 2020–21

    Through the Covid lockdowns we keep feeding people, with drive-thrus and food bags.

    Two volunteers in masks and orange hi-vis vests stand at a table lined with packed blue food bags beside a van.

  4. Today

    We serve outside the Central Library each month, as part of a worldwide family of Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchens. Meals are where we start. We want to do more.

    About twenty volunteers in orange hi-vis vests stand together behind the serving tables outside the library, next to a Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen Auckland banner.
Parneet Kohli, founder of GNFK, smiling in a black turban and glasses, holding a white mug.

It’s just something you need every day – it’s a fundamental.

Parneet Kohli, founder
  1. A red mesh sack of onions, a blue plastic basin, a chopping board and a knife set out on a table, ready for prep.

    Prep

    Friday

    One team meets at the New Lynn gurdwara. Onions get chopped. Spices get measured.

  2. Two volunteers cook at a big gas range in the gurdwara kitchen, one stirring a wide pan of golden curry.

    Cook

    Saturday afternoon

    Another team cooks at the gurdwara, then loads the pots into cars and brings everything into the city.

  3. Volunteers in hi-vis vests spoon food from steel bowls onto a guest's plate at the serving table, with paper cups lined up for chai.

    Serve

    Saturday evening

    On Lorne Street we stand in a circle for a short prayer of gratitude. Then we serve. Leftovers go out in takeaway boxes.

Share a meal

ਆਓ, ਲੰਗਰ ਛਕੋ

When
Last Saturday of the monthNext one:
Time
5:15 pm
Place
Outside Auckland Central City Library, Lorne Street, Auckland CBD
Price
Free. Always.

Free, vegetarian, no questions asked. Everyone is welcome. Look for the orange vests.

Get directions

On the plate

A typical menu. It changes from month to month.

  • Rajma and riceKidney bean curry
  • Veggie burgers
  • KheerRice pudding
  • Kada prasadA sweet, blessed offering
  • Fruit
  • Chai and water

Anything left over goes home with you in a takeaway box.

Need support?

ਮਦਦ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ?

You’re welcome to join our Sikh NZ Community group on WhatsApp. Reach out there and we’ll do what we can.

Get involved

ਆਓ, ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰੀਏ

Serving humanity takes many hands. Today that means cooking and serving meals together. People of every background are welcome.

Volunteer

Serve on Lorne Street. Cook at the gurdwara on Saturday. Prep on Friday. Pick what suits you. Join our volunteer group to hear when we need hands.

Join the volunteer WhatsApp group

Donate

Funds or food both help us keep serving. To give by bank transfer:

Account name
Guru Nanak Free Kitchen
Account number
06-0878-0783816-00

Spread the word

Know someone who could use a hot meal, a hand, or a place to help? Share GNFK with them.

To give food or ask a question, message us on our Facebook page and we’ll be in touch.