Religious beliefs in New Zealand

The religion in the country was originally controlled or ruled by Māori religion during the European colonization. Māori adopted Christianity in the 19th century. Christian prayer (karakia) is the anticipated way to start and end Māori public assemblies of numerous kinds. Prayers are made during the beginning of new projects, enterprises and personal journeys. New religions came up within 19th and 20th centuries, merging several aspects of Christianity with traditional and non-traditional Māori belief. And it includes the power of Ratana church.

Anglican (554,925 members), Roman Catholic (with 508,812), Presbyterian Christians (with 401,445) and Methodist (over 100,000 members) are the largest sub sects among the Christians. Other nonages claim faithfulness to the Baptist, Eastern Orthodox, LDS (Mormon), Protestant, and Ratana (Maori) Churches. Some comes from Jewish faithful as well.

The non Christian population includes Islam (12,516), Hindus (24,690), Buddhists (52,392) and supporters of Paganism and such religions. Unexpectedly, a huge number of New Zealanders assert to adopt no religion at all. In the 2001 census, about 30% of the populace did not declare any religious commitment. Still, it has been distinguished that the expansion of non-Christian religions in the country is fast.

Similar to numerous countries in all over the world, Christmas and Easter are the major Christian events that are noted by spiritual and non-religious. God Defend New Zealand is the national anthem of the country that is powerfully Christian in lyrics and name.