New Zealand

Abstract

Aotearoa–New Zealand is a nation in the southern Pacific comprising two main islands. A former British colony it became a self governing dominion in 1926 accepting full independence in 1947 (SBS 2004). The 2006 Census reports that New Zealand’s population was approximately 4 million of whom 67.6% described their ethnicity as ‘European’, 14.6% as Maori, 9.2% as ‘Asian’, and 6.2% as ‘Pacific Island’ (Nachowitz 2007; Statistics New Zealand 2007). New Zealand has two official languages, English and Maori (CIA 2008; New Zealand Police 2005). The government now uses the Maori word for New Zealand, Aotearoa in official documents and on public occasions (New Zealand Police 2005). The government also uses a Maori term, Pakeha, to refer to New Zealanders of European background.

Due to colonial association with Britain most New Zealanders with a religious affiliation are Christian; and the country’s religious diversity can mostly be recognised among Christian denominations. The 2006 Census recognised 79 Christian denominations including four Maori Christian denominations. New Zealand also has adherents of the other world religions, Maori Indigenous religions, nature religions and new religious movements. In 2006, the National Census categorised 43 religions in addition to Christianity (Statistics New Zealand 2006).