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==History=Statistics===The first Christian missionaries came to New Zealand at the start of the 19th Century. The [[Church Missionary Society]], an [[Anglican]] organisation, established a presence in New Zealand in 1814 with the permission and protection of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ng%C4%81_Puhi Ngā Puhi] chief [[Ruatara]]. This expedition was led by [[Samuel Marsden]]. Later missionaries brought other religious denominations — [[Jean Baptiste Pompallier]] played an important role in establishing [[Roman Catholicism]], and [[Presbyterianism]] was brought to New Zealand largely by Scottish settlers. The Maori people also created their own forms of Christianity, with [[Ratana church|Ratana]] and [[Ringatu]] being the largest.

Although there was some [[anti-Catholic]] feeling in In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries2006 census, this declined after around 55.6% of those who answered the question on religion identified themselves as Christian. This gives a total of slightly over two million Christians in the 1920scountry. Sectarian groups such as The largest denominations were Anglicans (about 14% of the [[Orange Order]] continue to exist in New Zealand but are now virtually invisiblepopulation), and New Zealand's first Catholic Prime MinisterCatholics (about 12%), [[Michael Joseph Savage]], took office in 1935. There is now very little sectarianism in New ZealandPresbyterians (about 9%), and various churches commonly co-operate on issues of common interest — various bodies exist promoting cooperation, such as the [[Uniting Congregations of Aotearoa New ZealandMethodists]], and church leaders have issued joint statements on a number (about 3%). Around 5% of issues (for example, on the Iraq War)population identified themselves as Christian without associating themselves with any particular denomination.

==Statistics==In the 2006 census, around 55.6% of those who answered the question on religion identified themselves as Christian. This gives a total of slightly over two million Christians in the country. The largest denominations were Anglicans (about 14% of the population), Catholics (about 12%), Presbyterians (about 9%), and [[Methodists]] (about 3%). Around 5% of the population identified themselves as Christian without associating themselves with any particular denomination.Trends====

====Geographic distribution==== 

*Anglicans are strong in Christchurch (which was founded as an Anglican colony). They are also strong in most areas of the North Island outside Auckland and Wellington, and in most parts of the upper South Island. *Catholics are strongest in the major urban areas of Auckland and Wellington. They also have a significant presence in parts of Taranaki, in Kaikoura, and on parts of the West Coast. *Presbyterians are strong in Dunedin (founded as a Presbyterian settlement) and other parts of the lower South Island, reflecting heavy Scottish settlement in the area. *The city of Auckland, due to its high immigrant population, has the greatest range of denominations. ===Official status===

==Churches=Ecumenism and Cooperation===*There is very little sectarianism in New Zealand, and various churches commonly co-operate on issues of common interest. The main body working for cooperation and ecumenical relations across denominations is the [[Anabaptist Association Vision Network of Australia and New Zealand]]*, headed by [[Anglican Church Glyn Carpenter]]. Vision Network often submits on government policy and legislation relevant to the church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, including the [[Civil Union Act 2004]]*and the [[Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, National statement on Religious Diversity (New Zealand, and All Oceania)|National statement on Religious Diversity]]*. Other groups promoting cooperation include the [[Assemblies Uniting Congregations of God in Aotearoa New Zealand]], and church leaders have issued joint statements on a number of issues (for example, on the Iraq War). *===History=== The first Christian missionaries came to New Zealand at the start of the 19th Century. The [[Baptist Union of Church Missionary Society]], an [[Anglican]] organisation, established a presence in New Zealandin 1814 with the permission and protection of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ng%C4%81_Puhi Ngā Puhi]]*chief [[Destiny ChurchRuatara]]*. This expedition was led by [[Grace Presbyterian Church of New ZealandSamuel Marsden]]*. Later missionaries brought other religious denominations — [[Methodist Church of New ZealandJean Baptiste Pompallier]]*played an important role in establishing [[New Life Churches, New ZealandRoman Catholicism]]*, and [[Pentecostal Church of Presbyterianism]] was brought to New Zealandlargely by Scottish settlers. The Maori people also created their own forms of Christianity, with [[Ratana]]*and [[Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New ZealandRingatu]]being the largest.*Although there was some [[Ratanaanti-Catholic]]*feeling in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this declined after the 1920s. Sectarian groups such as the [[Reformed Churches of Orange Order]] continue to exist in New Zealand but are now virtually invisible, and New Zealand's first Catholic Prime Minister, [[Michael Joseph Savage]], took office in 1935. ===Churches=== {{new_zealand_denominations_list}} ==Quotes== ==Links==*{{returnto}} [[Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand]]*[[RingatuCategory:New Zealand]]