New Zealand, where are the good catholic areas?

[Strawberriness]

My family is looking into moving to NZ. We are wondering if there are areas in NZ that are better than others? What’s the social sediment towards catholics? and religion for that matter? are the very liberal leaning?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rob

 

[mschrank]

Hi, I don’t know where you live now, or much about new zealand, but I can tell you after extensive travel and living overseas, that if you’re thinking about moving to NZ in order to escape the decadence and irreligiousity of America, you’re not going to find any place better than the good old USA, as far as the “first world” countries go.

In Europe, and probably NZ (since it’s culturally european), God and the Church are totally without any influence whatsoever and society in general does not respect Christianity, Catholicism in particular.

That being said, when I went to Nicaragua, I did find the people there kinder and Catholicism seemed to be more alive. But I’d assume most people from the US would not want to live in a 3rd world country even if they could.

 

[thomfra]

NZ is just like Australia/Europe. Social democracy. Not any one particular area for “catholics”. Very good welfare and social programs. Great place to bring up kids.

The people are far less conservative than Americans. But you might find it refreshing and enlightening. People are nice. Where are you thinking of living?

 

[Strawberriness]

I have been there a few years ago and would like to take the family back to live at least for a few years. I want to end up on the South Island. I’m guessing either Christshurch or Dunedin. Leaning towards Dunedin for mulitple of reasons other than the strong catholic community part. I guess I’m really looking to here if Christchurch is more or less stronger in the the catholic community than Dunedin. One would think with a name like Christchurch I would be having to ask this question?

Rob

 

[jlcasey]

I am from Auckland, New Zealand and converted to the Catholic Church there. Bishop Patrick Dunn is a good Bishop but the Auckland diocese is not as traditional as some of the dioceses here in the US. I was only there for two years a long time ago before coming to the US so I don’t know if things have changed.

As far as the cultural/ social setting, New Zealand is definitely alot more secular / ‘pagan’ than the US. The government that was just voted out was headed by an extremely liberal woman - Helen Clark - who studied in Russia in the 1970s (what does that tell you?!). Unfortunately she has done quite a bit of damage to the country - my family can tell you all the horror stories. I don’t really want to go into all the ‘bad’ stuff here though because I believe it is quite possible to be counter cultural and truly be salt like we are called to be and not let the ‘bad’ stuff impede you. That said raising a family might be a different matter all together. You may want to consider homeschooling or private school at the very least. My mother is a retired teacher from a private school and although I went to public school she wouldn’t recommend public school at all now and after what I’ve seen and heard I have to say I agree with her.

On the other hand my brother and sister in law is raising my nephew and niece in Auckland and although they are not Catholic the local Catholic Church does have some programs for young Children that I know she utilizes. To my knowledge they are wonderful programs and definitely taught by faithful Catholics and wonderful priests (I went to mass at said church several times when visiting). They do face challenges and are doing their best to be counter cultural in what is an increasingly anti family environment.

There isn’t a negative attitude towards Catholics specifically (except perhaps in a few protestant churches which I encountered in my conversion) - just a general apathy towards religion. It is a laid back culture and the majority of people don’t take strong stands like I have found here in the US.

I have to run now but will post more later.