Catholic now the most common religious affiliation for Pacific peoples
In 2006, 83 percent of Pacific peoples stated that they had at least one religion, which was higher than for New Zealand overall (61 percent).
Ninety-seven percent of those with at least one religious affiliation identified with the Christian religion.
The most common Christian denomination for people of Pacific ethnicity has changed since 2001:
- In 2006, Catholic was the most common Christian denomination for Pacific peoples (49,143 people).
- In 2001, the most common Christian denomination for Pacific peoples was Presbyterian, Congregational and Reformed (46,695 people).
The second and third most common Christian denominations for Pacific peoples in 2006 were:
- Presbyterian, Congregational and Reformed (48,321 people).
- Methodist (32,271 people).
Catholic was the most common Christian religious denomination for people of:
- Samoan ethnicity (29,607).
- Tokelauan ethnicity (2,289).
- Fijian ethnicity (2,016).
Presbyterian, Congregational and Reformed was the most common Christian religious denomination for people of:
- Cook Islands Maori ethnicity (15,066).
- Niuean ethnicity (6,771).
- Tuvaluan ethnicity (1,353).
Methodist was the most common Christian religious denomination for people of Tongan ethnicity (18,858).
Pacific peoples with no religion
In the 2006 Census, 34,833 people (14 percent) of Pacific ethnicity said they had no religion. This has increased from 12 percent in 2001.
Pacific peoples with no religion were:
- Mostly New Zealand-born (about nine out of 10)
- Concentrated in the younger age groups.
Half of Pacific peoples with no religion were aged under 15 years.