Trends in religion in New Zealand
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[edit] Comparing 2001 and 2006 census results in religion in New Zealand
The population increased 7.8% from the last census in 2001. The most notable trend in religion over that time is the increase of people indicating no religion. The increase was 26.17%.
[edit] Fastest increases
Mirroring the recent immigration trends to New Zealand, immigrant religions increased fastest between the census, Hindu by 61.9% to 24,690, Islam by 53% to 12,516 and Buddhist by 25.8% to 52,392. Others that increased faster than the general population include the Pentecostal type religions (Elim, Assemblies of God), Baptist, Latter-day Saints and New Age.
[edit] Mainstream religion trends
Those religions not keeping pace with the population increase were the mainstream religions. Anglicans fell by 29,868 and Presbyterian decreased by 30,102. While Catholic numbers increased by 22,797, this was less than the total population increase.
[edit] Ranking by number in each category
The most numerous religious are Anglican, with 554,925 members; Catholics are next with 508,812 and Presbyterians third with 401,445. The only other religion above 100,000 members is Methodist. One third of the population answered the census as no religion.
[edit] Overall picture
The current picture of society in New Zealand for religion is one of a secular society. However, the trend of the numbers of people in a religion is mirrored in the number of immigrants. The main influence on religion is coming from immigrants.
