The document summarizes the state of religion in Auckland, New Zealand. It notes that Auckland is a rapidly growing, diverse city where the population is 40% ethnic minorities. While 59.6% of Auckland residents identify as religious, this number is falling. The top faiths in Auckland are Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. It describes the ministries of Redeemer Church in Auckland, which serves the diverse communities in Southeast Auckland and supports missionaries internationally. Redeemer's top needs are for prayer support, volunteers, and financial resources.

1. The Gospel in Auckland
A Modern Day Ephesus

2. Auckland is rapidly growing……………………………
• City of 1.5 million people
• Population grown 8% since 2006
• Estimated to have 1.9 million
residents by 2031
• Growth is occurring via immigration,
intra-country migration and natural
growth (NZ currently experiencing a
baby boom)

3. Auckland is Incredibly Diverse………………………..
• Auckland is more diverse than London
• 40% of Auckland residents made up of
differing ethnicities
• 25% of NZ population born overseas
(this is considerably higher in Auckland
rumoured to be ~40%)
• Most population growth coming from
Asian immigrants including India (Asian
population has doubled since 2001)
• Top languages spoken English, Maori,
Samoan, Hindi and Chinese
• Largest Ethnic Groups – NZ European,
Maori, Chinese, Samoan and Indian

4. Faith in Auckland……………………………………………
• Auckland has highest percentage
of religious people in NZ 59.6%
• This has fallen from 63% and
reflects a nationwide trend
(average ~55% for NZ as a whole)
• Top Faiths – Protestant
Christianity, Catholicism,
Hinduism, Sikh, & Buddhism
• NZ has world’s largest per capita
population of self-reported ‘Jedi’

5. Auckland touches the world………………………….
• Auckland has direct, non-stop air access to
Australia, the Pacific, Asia, North & South
America and 1 hop service to Europe and the
Middle East
• Top export industries are Agriculture & Dairy,
Tourism, ICT, Financial Services, International
Education, Speciality Manufacturing, Digital
Media and Film & Television
• Auckland one of the few cities with two
separate harbours on separate major bodies
of water (the Tasman & the South Pacific)
• 75% of NZ population holds a passport (by
comparison in the US this is 30%)

6. The world passes through Auckland………………
• Due to Migration, Tourism or short
term business travel much of the
World's population passes through
Auckland at some point not Unlike
Ephesus in the New Testament
• Many young Kiwis head overseas for
work and life experience before
settling down to raise a family in NZ

7. Auckland NEEDS the Gospel…………………………..
• NZ has highest youth suicide rate in the OECD
• Depression & alcoholism are major social problems
(40% of hospitalizations alcohol related)
• Many Auckland businesses hiring extra security to deal
with drunk patrons who cause mayhem and violence
• NZ is a dangerous place for children under 5 many
dying at the hands of their carers – this is very high in
the Maori population
• Youth unemployment is high particularly among Maori
and Pacific groups (as high has 31%)
• A large portion of kiwis live in de-facto, unmarried
partnerships, Gay marriage was legalized in 2013
• High percentage of children born to unwed mothers

8. The Work of GPCNZ & Redeemer…………………..
• 22 churches in NZ 6 of them in Auckland
• Redeemer is based in Manukau, Southeast
Auckland at the junction of the city’s large
Maori/Pacific Islander and Asian/Indian
populations live
• Large portion of Redeemer adherents receive
some form of social welfare
• Top non-spiritual needs in the community
include support for unwed mothers,
employment/job search skills, financial literacy,
parenting & life skills, education, alcohol & drug
abuse

9. Domestic Ministries of Redeemer………………….
• Pre-school
• Sunday School,
• After School Program
• School Holiday Club
• Youth Ministry
• Gideons
• Men’s Ministry
• Women’s Ministry
• Eggvangelism
• Christmas in the Park
• Ad hoc community social work
• Grace Theological College
(denomination-wide)

10. International Missions at Redeemer………………
• Currently supporting missionaries in
many countries
• One of our members working as a
nurse in South Sudan (world’s most
unstable country)
• One of our members working as a
pastor in Pakistan – Grace for Pakistan
• Close to 40% of Redeemers annual
budget supports international
missions work

11. Top needs of Redeemer Church…………………….
1/ Prayer – we need prayer partners and
warriors all over the globe to support our work
2/ People – we need people who can come help
us accomplish our mission of serving as the
hands and feet of Jesus in Flat Bush either on a
short or long term basis
3/ Financial Resources – Redeemer does not
presently have a full time pastor, we have
several young men preparing for ministry but no
funding for them to pursue vocational ministry

13. Thank You!