Face of faith in Bay changes

Ramesh Sharma is part of the growing community of Hindu and Sikh believers in the Western Bay. Photo / Joel Ford

The number of Christians in what is often referred to as New Zealand's "Bible Belt" is on the decline but the number of people identifying themselves as being of Hindu or Sikh faith has skyrocketed.

Census results show the number of Christians in the Tauranga City and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council areas has dropped by more than 5 per cent, despite the region's growth.

Figures show 68,547 identified themselves as Christian in 2013, compared to 72,363 in 2006.

The number of people identifying themselves as Sikh more than doubled from 1038 in 2006 to 2403 in 2013, while the number who identified themselves as Hindu rose from 798 to 1374.

Indian migrant Ramesh Sharma, who is of the Hindu faith, said there were now three Sikh temples in the Western Bay, the most recent of which opened in 15th Ave less than two years ago.

A site had been bought and consent given for a Hindu temple in The Lakes subdivision, he said.

Mr Sharma, who arrived in Tauranga six years ago and is vice-president of the Tauranga Regional Multicultural Council, was not surprised to hear of the large increase in members of the Sikh and Hindu faiths.

Many people migrated from India to Tauranga because of the job opportunities in the horticulture field, he said.

"Mostly they are coming from farm sites and it is easy to go for the work here.

"Some time ago there was a shortage of work because of the [kiwifruit bacteria] Psa but now it is going good," Mr Sharma said.

"It is calm and quiet and there are good relationships, and the local community is very friendly.

"Tauranga is a good place to earn money."

Tauranga residents were more and more welcoming of other ethnicities and religions, he said.

"They are very friendly, very co-operative and very loving, so we are happy.

"It is a new life for us," Mr Sharma said.