Where to practice your religion
Religion in New Zealand is as diverse as the culture. It is important people feel welcome and comfortable living here.
Find out about religions in New Zealand, including Christianity, Hinduism, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism, and where to find places near you to practice these religions.
Find out more where to practise your religion
Christianity
Christianity is the most widely held religion in New Zealand. It was brought to New Zealand by early European settlers in the 1800s and introduced to some Māori communities.
Hinduism
Hinduism is the second largest religion in New Zealand after Christianity. In the 2013 census, over 90,000 people (just over 2% of New Zealand's population) said they practise Hinduism.
Buddhism
Buddhism is New Zealand's third-largest religion after Christianity and Hinduism. There are Buddhists from many different Buddhist branches and communities thriving in New Zealand.
Islam
New Zealand's Muslim history dates back to 1950 when the New Zealand Muslim Association was set up in Auckland. There were only about 200 Muslims across New Zealand at the time. Read more here.
Judaism
Jewish settlers were among some of the first immigrants to arrive in New Zealand in the early 1800s and synagogues were built in Dunedin, Hokitika and Christchurch in the 1860s. Read more here.
Other religions
We have many communities from around the world who have chosen to live here and have brought their faith with them.
Related pages
Religious freedom in New Zealand
New Zealand is a nation of people from all over the world who have many different faiths, beliefs and religions. We’re an open-minded country where you’re free to worship and practice your religion.
Learn about Māori culture
To get you started with this goal, we asked students what they did to learn about Māori culture while they were in New Zealand. Here are their suggestions, along with a few of our own!
Learn how our indigenous culture shaped our past and inspires our future.
Life and culture
Find out about New Zealand lifestyle, culture and customs. Learn about religious freedom in New Zealand and the languages we speak here.