NEW ZEALAND
Religion

Cities in NEW ZEALAND

Auckland

Christchurch

Wellington

Religion

The New Zealand population is largely Protestant. Of the Reformed churches, the Anglican Church is the largest with a quarter of the population, followed by the Presbyterians (19%), Methodists and Baptists. There are also approximately 426,000 Roman Catholics and among others Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, Muslims, Hindus, and followers of the Baha'i faith.
The Anglican Church is divided into seven dioceses and a separate diocese for the Maoris. The Presbyterian Church is divided into 23 Presbyteria and a Maori Synod. Every year a so-called "moderator", the president of the Presbyterian Church, is elected. The Methodist Church is divided into ten districts and the "President" is also elected annually. The Roman Catholic Church is divided into four dioceses, headed by the Archbishop of Wellington.

Oldest church is located in Russell, New Zealand (1836)_{Photo: Chris Gilson CC 2.0 Generic no changes made}

Most Maoris have joined the various Protestant denominations after intensive missionary missionary activity, but many of them belong to the Ratana and Ringatu faiths, a form of Maori Christianity.
Ringatu was founded by Te Kooti after a number of apparitions, and revived in the early 20th century by the Tuhoe prophet Rua Kerana. This church has many followers in the Bay of Plenty on the North Island.
The Ratana Church was founded by Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana (1873-1939). At one point, the Ratana faith even had political influence when four adherents of the faith were in parliament. There are about 40,000 followers. Approx. 20% of the population is atheist.

Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana, founder of the Ratana Church, New Zealand_{Photo: Sam Dale in the public domain}

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Sources

Driessen, J. / Reishandboek Nieuw-Zeeland
Elmar

Gebauer, B. / Nieuw-Zeeland
Lannoo

Gebauer, B. / Nieuw-Zeeland
Elmar

Hanna, N. / Nieuw-Zeeland
Kosmos-Z&K

Harper, L. / New Zealand
Rough Guides

New Zealand
Macmillan

Te gast in Nieuw-Zeeland
Informatie Verre Reizen

Williams, J. / New Zealand
Lonely Planet

CIA - World Factbook
BBC - Country Profiles

Last updated October 2024
Copyright: Team The World of Info