Hinduism is the second largest religion in New Zealand after Christianity, with over 89,000 adherents according to the 2013 Census.[1] The number of Hindus in New Zealand grew modestly until the 1990s when the Immigration Act 1987, the Immigration Amendment Act 1991 and India's Economic Liberalisation in 1991 changed immigration laws and India's standard of living. The eased immigration laws resulted in the number of Hindus growing from 18,000 in 1991 to 40,000 in 2001.[2] Hinduism currently makes up 2.1% of the New Zealand population, and is the fast growing religion in the country(for religions with more than 20,000 adherents).[3]
Historical Growth of the Hindu Population in New Zealand
Easing of Immigration Policies and Increased Immigration: 1987-2001
In the 1991 Census, surging migration as a result of the Immigration Act 1987 made the number of Hindus surpass 17,000.[4][5]India's Economic Liberalisation occurred in the same year, increasing the standard of living and ensuring more immigrants will come in the future.[citation needed] The 1996 New Zealand Census showed the number of Hindus surpass 25,000. This was largely due to the continued success of the Immigration Act 1987.
Fast Growth and Slowdown: 2001-2012
In the 2001 Census, the population of Hindus was at almost 40 000, meaning that the number of Hindus tripled in the 10 years since the 1991 census. The 2006 census showed the number of Hindus to be 64,557, an increase of nearly 62% from the previous census in 2001.[6] The growth of the number of Hindus in New Zealand then slowed in the years between the 2006 Census and the 2013 Census because of a mixture of events. the heightened violence against Indian Australians(2007-2010) and the 2011 Christchurch earthquake were the main reasons why growth of Hindus declined. The latter was also the main reason why the Census year was moved from 2011 to 2013.[7] The slowdown in long term migration was partially offset by soaring numbers of Indian Students and Skilled Migrants, whose numbers increased rapidly during the Great Recession partly due to costs being cheaper and a better economic outlook.[8][9] The recently conducted 2013 Census showed the Hindu population made up slightly over 2% of the population, with 90,018 adherents. This increased Hinduism's share of the total New Zealand population by 0.5% despite immigration slowing as a result of the events mentioned earlier.
List of Hindu Temples in major New Zealand cities. Cities are ordered by the number of Hindu Temples. The name of the Mandir is in bold and the location is in italics.
Auckland
Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam [12] is located in 69, Tidal Road, Mangere, Auckland. Is a temple with South Indian style granite deities. The deities in the temple are Lord Ganesh [ Mahaganapathy], Lord Muruga [Subramaniya Swamy], Lord Shiva [Bhoominathar], Lord Parvati [Tamilarasi Nayagi, Lord Perumal [ Venkatesha Perumal], Lord Hanuman [ Baktha Anjineyar], Lord Kalabairavar, Lord Munneshwarar, Lord maduari Veeran, Navagrahas [Nine Planents].
The Sri Ganesh Temple is located in Papakura. The temple has Deities of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Lord Kamakshi, Lord Kartikeya (Murugan)and Parvati (Shakti).
There is also a Radha-Krishna Temple in Eden Terrace and a Ram Krishna Temple in Papatoetoe.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Avondale, Auckland. The main deities are Akshar-Purshottam Maharaj, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj and Pragat Aksharbrahma His Divine Holiness Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Wellington
Wellington Hindus can worship at the Kurinchi Kumaran Temple in Newlands. It has Deities of Lord Ganesh, Lord Murugan and Lord Shiva and many more. It was the first South Indian style Hindu temple to be established in New Zealand, and it features ancient temple architecture.
The Wellington Indian Association run a North Indian style Temple with Deities of Lord Rama, Goddess Seeta and Lakshmana, Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna, Goddess Durga, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman.[13]
Tauranga
Members of the Tauranga Hindu community created the Sanatan Dharam Trust, with the goal of building the Sanatan Dharam Mandir in Tauranga.[14] The trust bought roughly 2150 square meters of land in the suburb of Tauriko for around $400,000.[15] Despite being inaugurated in 2012, work on the actual Hindu Temple did not commence until early 2015.[16] Stage One of the temple is expected to be completed by mid-late 2015.[17] The temple is located at 108 Whiore Ave, Tauriko, Tauranga.[18]
Christchurch
Christchurch's and the South Island's only Hindu temple is the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Christchurch, located in 19 Frank Street in the suburb of Papanui.[19] The mandir was inaugurated on July 26, 2011, after a "Mahapuja".[20] The temple was inaugurated after 12 months of renovations, which the 2011 Christchurch earthquake temporarily halted.[21]
Rotorua
The BAPS Sri Swaminarayan Temple, Rotorua's first Hindu Temple, opened in September 2012 for an estimated $1.5 million making it the fourth "BAPS" temple in New Zealand.[22] The temple is located in the suburb of Fenton Park, where Hindus made up 7.5%(95 people) of the total suburb population in the 2013 census.[23] It the only Hindu Temple in the central north island.[24]
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness also has a presence in New Zealand, running temples in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch. The Auckland temple is located out of the city, and is built in the Vedic style with a tower over the main shrine.
The International Society of Krishna Consciousness run programs at the university Clubs and Socieites Centre.
