Buddhism in Aotearoa New Zealand: Multiple Sources and Diverse Forms

This article presents a provisional survey of Buddhists and Buddhist organizations in Aotearoa/New Zealand, identifying their key characteristics terms national origin, ethnicity, areas geographical concentration. We draw on three decades the New Zealand census (1991-2018) to analyze demographic data about those who identify as Buddhist, information from NZ Charities Register general diverse range country. Based this data, we main types institutions: (1) centers/temples serving heritage or “migrant” communities Asian countries with heritage; (2) centers which refer “Pākehā/Multi-ethnic” because they serve newer (“converts”) are primarily but not exclusively Pākehā (NZ European), (3) “multi-ethnic” that include varying combinations non-heritage Buddhists. Within each categories see organizational forms streams distinctive traditions, including sectarian, ethnic, hybrid forms, have contributed religious landscape significant ways. Most urban areas, 70 percent near Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch. The traditions almost equally represented across these institutions 35 identified Mahayana, 32 Theravada, Vajrayana (and 0.7% mixed). number has increased over past 12,705 52,779, approximately 80 at least one ethnic groups. constitute only 1.1 total population, 134 sizes However, Buddhism may be exerting cultural influence beyond numbers, recent research “most trusted” group contemporary Zealand. In presenting preliminary survey, aim provide base for more in-depth investigations.