South Asian, general in New Zealand

Introduction / History

South Asians first came to New Zealand in the 1700s.The major people groups who immigrated were the Gujaratis and Punjabis, both from India. South Asians are the largest immigrant grouop in New Zealand. They constitute over 5% of New Zealand's total population. Before the 1980s, few non-family members could immigrate. Today, the government has relaxed the rules allowing non-family members to enter New Zealand. Many South Asians come from Fiji as well as India. Most South Asians live in Auckland and speak Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, English, and other Indian languages.

What Are Their Lives Like?

South Asians in New Zealand largely work in retail trade, health care, social assistance, accommodation, and food industries.

In the 2020s, the Hindutva Hindu nationalism activist group within the diaspora attracted attention from the media and law enforcement authorities. Media claimed Islamophobia was present among the Indian diaspora, particularly in its social media posts.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Hinduism worships a pantheon of gods with whom there is no personal relationship. It teaches a future afterlife of reincarnation where one's only hope of escape is one's good works.

Sikhism teaches God is formless and in everyone. One can get closer to God through by living a good life and practicing charity. It also teaches reincarnation.

Islam teaches a belief in one God from whom one may receive salvation through good works.

Buddhism teaches a good works salvation through endless cycles of reincarnation.

Jainism is a reform movement within Hinduism teaching non-violence and non-attachment to material goods, leading many to asceticism.

Zoroastrianism is an ancient Iranian religion that teaches a good works based salvation.

What Are Their Needs?

Culturally, South Asians have a long history of living in New Zealand. For the most part, their basic needs are met. They, like any immigrant group, need the good favor of the New Zealand government and native population to remain welcome.

Spiritually, the diverse religious, ethnic and linguistic South Asian population needs a proactive, strategic outreach and discipleship effort from both South Asian Christians and native New Zealander Christians. Ultimately, there is a need for an indigenous South Asian church planting movement.

Prayer Points

Pray for sent workers to go to the South Asian in New Zealand Harvest Field.

Pray for the needed Bible and gospel resources to be made available.

Pray for South Asian Christian leaders to be raised up, trained and mobilized.

Pray for a South Asian lead church planting movement.

Text Source:   Joshua Project