I look forward to next year's census data to see what has happened to our religions over the past five years.
The last census, in 2018, revealed that the number of New Zealanders with no religion - just under half the population - outnumbered Christians for the first time. Empty churches continue to be sold and turned into bars, restaurants, art galleries and homes throughout the country. If past trends continue, the new census will show even more Kiwis with "no religious affiliation".
According to the Census data, the number of Anglicans, Catholics, Presbyterians and Methodists has shrunk over the past 20 years, but devotees of smaller religions have grown. We now have about 120,000 Pentecostals, Evangelicals and Born-again Christians and 18,000 Seventh-day Adventists.
In 2018 we had 157 types of faith, including 123,000 Hindus, 60,000 Muslims, and 41,000 Sikhs. These religions had all grown since the previous census. But atheists (those who disbelieve in the existence of a god or higher being) and agnostics (who sit on the fence) also grew, with 7.5% of New Zealanders ticking those boxes.
Denne historien er fra October 22, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 22, 2022-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
