Irreligion in New Zealand

Irreligion in New Zealand refers to the absence of religious affiliation, belief, or practice among people in the country. New Zealand is considered one of the most secular nations in the world, with the proportion of the population reporting "no religion" rising steadily since the late twentieth century. In the 2023 census, a majority of New Zealanders (51.6%) identified as having no religion, marking the first time irreligion became the dominant category of belief.

Irreligion in New Zealand has historical roots in nineteenth‑century freethought and rationalist movements, and has been expressed through organisations such as the New Zealand Rationalist and Humanist Association, Humanist NZ, and NZ Skeptics. While these groups have remained relatively small, they have played a visible role in debates over secular education, freedom of expression, and the separation of church and state.

Legal protections for irreligion are guaranteed under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, which affirms freedom of thought, conscience, and belief, and under the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957, which allows secular affirmations in place of religious oaths. Political and social tensions have periodically arisen around the role of religion in schools, the use of religious language in civic life, and the visibility of non‑religious perspectives in public debate. The repeal of the country's blasphemy law in 2019 and the growth of secular demographics in the 21st century have further underscored the prominence of irreligion in New Zealand society.