New Zealand Demographics

With only 4.1 million people, New Zealand has a lot of wide open spaces. Nearly three-quarters of the population live on North Island and half of those in Auckland alone. As a result, New Zealand has one of the highest percentages of foreign-born citizens in the world. Almost a quarter of the population is foreign born, mostly of British and Irish origin. While the large majority of the population is Caucasian, the Maori remain highly visible, making up 14% of the population. Asians are the fastest growing demographic at 9% of the population. Pacific Islanders are the other significant group on the islands. Christianity is the predominant religion; Anglican, Presbyterian, and Catholic denominations are the most common. Maori religions, such as Ratana, were first developed into cohesive groups during the missionary era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in an effort to synthesize traditional Maori beliefs with the precepts of Christianity. Ratana has also become a strong political force and represents Maori issues in the New Zealand parliament.

More Cultural Essentials in New Zealand

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