Discover
The identity of the nation
New Zealand is an isolated archipelago in the south Pacific Ocean, made up of the North Island and the South Island, shaped by volcanoes, glaciers and the living culture of the Maori, the indigenous Polynesian people who arrived in the region centuries ago from other Pacific islands. It is a nation small in population but of great cultural weight: varied landscapes, a creative spirit and a strong sense of identity shared between Maori and the descendants of European settlers, known as pakeha.
The gospel arrived in a striking way in the early nineteenth century, and within a few decades much of the Maori people had embraced the Christian faith, often through evangelists from the Maori people themselves, who carried the message from village to village even before more foreign missionaries arrived. That movement shaped New Zealand society for generations, and for a long time Christianity was the faith of the majority of the population.
Today the picture has changed considerably: a growing number of New Zealanders say they have no religion at all. Faith, where it still exists, coexists with a comfortable, secure culture centered on well being, which makes it easy to live without feeling a need for God. At the same time, among the Maori, part of the spiritual search returns to beliefs and practices that predate the arrival of Christianity, often alongside a Christian faith that is little more than family heritage.
New Zealand is also today a meeting point of peoples: communities from Pacific islands, Asia and the Middle East have settled in the country over recent decades, forming groups that still have no church of their own in their language and culture, even though they are surrounded by a nation with Christian roots. At the same time, it is a country that, despite its small size, has historically sent many of its own to serve as workers in other parts of the world.
Today’s challenge is twofold: to rekindle faith in a prosperous and increasingly secular society, and to reach, within its own borders, the newly arrived peoples who bring with them other religions and cultures. It is a nation that needs to rediscover the urgency of the gospel amid comfort.
- The Maori, a Polynesian people, arrive on the islands sailing thousands of kilometers in great ocean going canoes.
- 1642 Dutch explorer Abel Tasman becomes the first European to sight the islands.
- 1769 British navigator James Cook maps much of the New Zealand coastline.
- 1814 The first Christian missionaries arrive, beginning decades of rapid evangelization among the Maori people.
- 1840 Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and Maori chiefs, the founding document of the nation.
- 1893 The country becomes the first in the world to grant women the right to vote.
- 1907 The territory ceases to be a colony and becomes a self governing dominion within the British Empire.
- 1947 Full independence is recognized with the adoption of the Statute of Westminster.
- Today A nation with a majority declaring no religion, facing the challenges of secularization and immigrant peoples still without a church of their own.
-
Englishthe de facto official language, spoken by the vast majority of the population
-
Maori (te reo Maori)official indigenous language, undergoing revitalization in schools and the media
-
New Zealand Sign Languageone of the country's three official languages, used by the deaf community
New Zealand lies isolated in the south Pacific Ocean, more than a thousand kilometers from Australia, and is made up of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, along with dozens of smaller islands. The landscape ranges from active volcanoes and hot springs to glaciers, deep fjords and long beaches, making the country one of the most varied natural settings in the world within a relatively small territory.
Major cities
- AucklandThe country's largest city, built on extinct volcanoes, the main economic center
- WellingtonThe capital, known for its strong winds and vibrant cultural life
- ChristchurchThe South Island's main city, rebuilt after the 2011 earthquake
- HamiltonAn agricultural and university hub at the heart of the North Island
- QueenstownA tourist city surrounded by mountains, known for adventure sports
- DunedinA historic city with strong Scottish influence, in the south of the South Island
Climate and temperature
Hangi
Meat and vegetables slow cooked in a pit oven of heated stones under the ground, a Maori tradition.
Pavlova
A meringue dessert crisp on the outside and soft inside, topped with whipped cream and fruit.
Fish and chips
Battered fried fish served with french fries, a favorite dish by the seaside.
Meat pie
A savory pie of minced or diced meat, a traditional everyday street food.
Kiwi
A sweet green fruit that even gave New Zealanders their affectionate nickname.
Whitebait fritters
Fried fritters made with tiny transparent fish, a highly prized seasonal delicacy.
Kumara
A native sweet potato grown by the Maori before Europeans arrived, still widely eaten.
Dairy
High quality cheese, butter and milk, reflecting the country's strong agricultural economy.
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Living Maori culture
The Maori, an indigenous Polynesian people, shape national identity through their language, art and ceremonies to this day.
The haka as an expression of identity
More than a war dance, the haka (a ritual dance with strong shouts and gestures) expresses pride, unity and respect.
Hongi, the traditional greeting
Pressing nose and forehead against another person is the Maori form of greeting, a symbol of sharing the breath of life.
Humility valued
There is strong social discomfort with those who boast too much; discretion and humility are seen as virtues.
Closeness to nature
Mountains, sea and forests are part of the lifestyle; spending time outdoors is a habit common to nearly everyone.
Egalitarian and informal society
Relationships tend to be direct and not very hierarchical, even in the workplace.
Coexistence between Maori and pakeha
The relationship between the indigenous people and European descendants remains a work in progress, with ongoing efforts toward reconciliation.
Pacific communities
Immigrants from islands such as Samoa and Tonga have brought their own languages, churches and traditions to the country's cultural mosaic.
- Mocking the haka or treating it as a tourist spectacle For the Maori it is a profound expression of identity, not a mere performance.
- Ignoring the Maori names of places Many places have both English and Maori names; using the Maori name is a sign of respect.
- Boasting about personal achievements Humility is highly valued; showing off is looked down on socially.
- Treating nature carelessly There is strong environmental awareness; littering or wasting resources in natural spaces draws strong disapproval.
- Confusing New Zealand with Australia The two countries have quite distinct identities, and New Zealanders value that difference.
- Touching sacred Maori objects without permission Items such as taonga (cultural and spiritual treasures of the Maori people) require respect and permission before being handled.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
Faith is increasingly seen as a private matter, distant from public life and society's decisions.
Well being and security make it easy to live without feeling a need for God.
The habit of criticizing those who stand out makes it hard for Christian leaders to openly own their faith.
Part of the Maori people seek to reconnect with beliefs that predate Christianity, often mixed with a faith that is Christian in name only.
Many call themselves Christian out of family heritage, without a living, personal, transforming faith.
The sport holds an almost sacred place in social life, absorbing devotion that could be directed toward faith.
Excessive drinking is a recognized social problem, linked to domestic violence and accidents.
Historical wounds and inequalities between the indigenous people and European descendants still call for true reconciliation.
Communities from Asia and the Middle East often live closed in on themselves, with no contact with the local Christian faith.
Wellness practices, meditation and alternative spiritualities attract those seeking meaning outside the Christian faith.
Religious freedom is guaranteed by law in New Zealand, and Christians can gather, evangelize and live out their faith openly, without violent or legal persecution. Churches of every denomination operate without formal restrictions, and coexistence between different faith traditions is peaceful.
The greatest challenge for the church today is cultural, not legal: in a society that treats religion as a personal matter, expressing faith in public, at work or in the media can bring discomfort or criticism. A recent law banning practices linked to changing sexual orientation and gender identity concerns part of the church, which fears limits on the freedom to counsel and pray with those who seek help while holding biblical convictions on the subject.
Among Pacific, Asian and Middle Eastern immigrant peoples living in the country, the freedom to follow Jesus often runs up not against New Zealand law, but against pressure from their own community of origin, which may react badly to a conversion to Christianity.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
Despite its historical Christian roots, New Zealand today has 60 people groups, 19 of which are considered unreached, most of them immigrant communities from Asia, the Middle East and other Pacific islands that have settled in the country in recent decades and still have no church of their own in their language and culture. While the population of European origin and much of the Polynesian peoples have had access to the gospel for generations, these more recent groups live side by side with the Christian majority without the gospel having meaningfully reached them.
- 444K Unreached 8,6%
- 8K Minimally reached 0,1%
- 25K Superficially reached 0,5%
- 580K Partially reached 11,3%
- 4.1M Significantly reached 79,5%
- 19 Unreached 31,7%
- 1 Minimally reached 1,7%
- 4 Superficially reached 6,7%
- 18 Partially reached 30%
- 18 Significantly reached 30%
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Canarés
Punjabi
Gujarati Frontier
Malay Frontier
Urdu Frontier
Thai central
Árabe Iraquiano
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Every nation carries a redemptive purpose. Marks that seem woven into the identity God desires to restore:
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
one of the highest in Oceania, close to Australia's
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Learn a few words in Maori: using terms like "kia ora" (hello) is seen as a sign of respect for the local culture.
- Bring layered clothing: the weather changes quickly throughout the day, even in summer.
- Respect schedules and lines: arriving late to appointments is considered inconsiderate.
- Look after the environment: littering or disrespecting natural areas draws strong social disapproval.
- Avoid talking too much about yourself: modesty is valued; good achievements speak for themselves.
- Plan travel time carefully: distances between cities are usually greater than they look on a map.
- Traffic drives on the left: cars travel on the left side of the road, take extra care when crossing streets.
- Tipping is not mandatory: at restaurants and in taxis a tip is not expected, though it is always welcome.
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.