New Zealand

The Land and the People

New Zealand is an island nation about the size of Colorado located to the southeast of Australia. Mountains and beaches, fiords and pastures, and the occasional bustling city fill the country with breathtaking scenery that draws tourists from around the world. Far from terrorists and high crime rates, New Zealand has been judged the most peaceful nation on earth.

Native Maori people have lived in New Zealand for hundreds of years. In the last 150 years many immigrants have moved here from the United Kingdom and other European nations. Many Pacific Islanders have come here to find better jobs and a higher standard of living. Today many Asians have joined the immigration ranks. New Zealand now blends elements from these various cultures to form its own uniquely Kiwi culture.

Religion

New Zealand was once considered a Christian nation, but today only half of the 4 million people claim to adhere to any form of Christianity. About 15 percent attend church, many only occasionally. Kiwis are increasingly interested in other forms of spirituality that look outside of God and Christianity to fill the spiritual void in their lives.

Past and Current Work

In 1972 Bill and Glenna Grant were asked by the General Council to start the work of Baptist Mid- Missions in New Zealand. In January 1974 they began planting a church in the Mount Maunganui-Tauranga area. That work grew into Calvary Baptist Church in Mount Maunganui. Today BMM missionaries lead this work and two other works in Napier and Invercargill. Several churches have passed from missionary leadership.

Goals

Our surveys indicate that there are numerous other towns and cities with populations above 10,000 people that are still without a fundamental Baptist church. The BMM team ministry of New Zealand has targeted about 10 communities that need good Baptist churches. We need missionaries who are willing to come to New Zealand long term and serve faithfully through the ups and downs of church planting. It takes time and patience to plant a church here, but many people hunger for sound Bible teaching. We want to provide churches that teach the Bible clearly in a way that changes lives.