New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND

A. THE COUNTRY

Aotearoa (Maori language) is isolated in the Pacific Ocean southeast of Australia.  It comprises two mountainous main islands and numerous small islands.  There have been recent killer earthquakes. New Zealand is a Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy (Queen Elizabeth 11). It ranks high in international comparisons on many topics including education, economic freedom, and lack of corruption. The economy is heavily based on tourism, export of agriculture and forest products, and technological and software-based innovations. 16% of all Kiwis live oversees, and this emigration hurts the economy.

B. THE PEOPLE

The population is ~4,303,500.  Over 73% are of European descent (75% British).  The indigenous Maori are the largest minority.  Asians and non-Maori Polynesians are significant in the urban areas.  The most commonly spoken language is English.

C. RELIGION AND CHRISTIANITY/PENTECOSTALISM

Over 50% claim to be Christian, and ~41% non-religious. ~2% are Hindu, ~1.5% are Buddhist, and ~1% are Muslim.   ~17.5% are Protestant.  Anglicans and Catholics are about equal in number at over ~12% each. Of those adhering to Christianity: ~18% are Evangelicals ~9.4% are Charismatics (1.9% are Pentecostals):    Assemblies of God is the largest denomination

Donna Siemens

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org

Operation World, Jason Mandryk. Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing, 2010.