The National Statement on Religious Diversity is a

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

statement of intent in the field of

religious diversity Interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive, and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions (i.e. "faiths") and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels. It i ...

, it is intended to provide ''“a framework for the recognition of

's diverse faith communities and their harmonious interaction with each other, with government and with other groups in society.”''

Background

The statement was prepared by the Victoria University Religious Studies Programme and authored by Programme Director Professor Paul Morris. The statement was the subject of a national process of public consultation coordinated by the

Human Rights Commission A human rights commission, also known as a human relations commission, is a body set up to investigate, promote or protect human rights. The term may refer to international, national or subnational bodies set up for this purpose, such as nationa ...

, and was endorsed by the National Interfaith Forum in

Hamilton Hamilton may refer to: People * Hamilton (name), a common British surname and occasional given name, usually of Scottish origin, including a list of persons with the surname ** The Duke of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland ** Lord Hamilt ...

in February 2007 as a basis for ongoing public discussion.

Government ratification

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...

Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark (born 26 February 1950) is a New Zealand politician who served as the 37th prime minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008, and was the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme from 2009 to 2017. She was ...

presented the statement to the third ''Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation'' to be held at Waitangi from May 29–31, 2007.

Controversy

Brian Tamaki Brian Raymond Tamaki (born 2 February 1958), is a New Zealand fundamentalist Christian religious leader and far-right political activist. A Tainui man from the Ngati Ngawaero and Ngati Maniapoto tribes, he is the leader of Destiny Church, a ...

, a Bishop of the Destiny Church stated: "That hristianityis the chosen religion of the

Head of the Commonwealth The head of the Commonwealth is the ceremonial leader who symbolises "the free association of independent member nations" of the Commonwealth of Nations, an intergovernmental organisation that currently comprises 56 sovereign states. There is ...

. For us to depart from that, don't you think that that is bordering on creating some type of treason, religious treason anyhow?".'' A poll of 501 New Zealanders by Research New Zealand in June 2007 found that 58% of respondents did not think Christianity should be New Zealand's official religion. Another source of controversy has been the fact that the composition of the working group managing the formulation of the National Statement and its endorsement was limited to representatives of religious groups. Consequently, while extending some rights to non-religious people the Statement did omit to extend the right of safety (clause 3). This has led to some, such as the

New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists (or NZARH) is an organisation, established in 1927 in New Zealand for the promotion of rationalism and secular humanism. The principal aims are stated as: * To advocate a rational, humane, an ...

, to criticise the National Statement.

References

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External links

* Human Rights Commission website: The NZ Diversity Action Programme
National Statement on Religious Diversity
* Human Rights Commission website: The NZ Diversity Action Programme: The National Statement on Religious Diversity
Background to the Draft Statement on Religious Diversity

Your Views:Is New Zealand a Christian country?.
NZ Herald. February 26, 2007. * Human Rights Commission Press Release

February 16, 2007. Religion in New Zealand Multiculturalism in Oceania Human rights in New Zealand National human rights instruments 2007 in New Zealand