Auckland Bucks Downward Trend In Religion

Auckland had the largest percentage of religious people in New Zealand at the 2013 Census, results from Statistics New Zealand show. The region also had more religious people than at the last census, in 2006.

Across New Zealand, the number of people who affiliated with a religion in 2013 fell 5.5 percent since the 2006 Census. Regional data released today shows that this trend was reflected in every region except Auckland, which had a 1.2 percent increase in the number of religious residents.

“Auckland was the only region with more religious people in 2013 than in 2006,” Government Statistician Liz MacPherson said. “It also had the highest proportion of people with a religion, at 59.6 percent, though this fell from 63.5 percent in 2006. Nationally, 55.0 percent of the population had a religious affiliation in 2013.”

2013 Census regional summary tables – part 2, which has data at regional and city or district level, also reveals insights on topics such as relationship status, iwi, occupation, and smoking.

Ms MacPherson said that this census information is some of the most important, as it will help communities plan for the future. “National figures show us what New Zealand looks like overall, but this local information helps communities to build a picture of who they are, and to make decisions,” she said.

“For instance, we know that nationally the number of adults who regularly smoke dropped 22.5 percent since the last census. Today’s results show that this was reflected across all regions, which each had a notable decrease in the number of regular smokers. The largest drop was in Otago, with 25.6 percent fewer smokers than in 2006, while the smallest decrease was in Taranaki, with 15.7 percent fewer smokers.”

Tasman region had the lowest proportion of smokers in 2013, at just 12.9 percent of its adult population, compared with 15.1 percent of the adult population nationally.

Other highlights from today’s release show that, at the 2013 Census:
• Wellington had the highest proportion of adults who did unpaid activities in the month leading up to census day.
• Tasman had the highest proportion of married people.
• West Coast had the highest increase in median household income since 2006.
• Taranaki had the highest proportion of managers.

"2013 Census information will be used by government, councils, community groups, and iwi to help decide where to put vital services and resources such as housing, hospitals, schools, community centres, and places of worship,” Ms MacPherson said.

2013 Census regional summary tables – part 2 has more information on topics such as religion, relationship status, occupation, and smoking.

2013 Census has more census results.

ENDS

© Scoop Media