| Group: | African New Zealanders |
| Population: | 15,849 (2018) 0.3% of New Zealand's population[1] |
| Popplace: | Auckland Region |
| Langs: | New Zealand English, languages of Africa |
| Rels: | Christianity, Islam, Traditional African religions |
New Zealanders of African descent represent less than 0.3% of New Zealand's population, although the number has been growing substantially since the 1990s.
In the early 20th century, a small number of African students and professionals came to New Zealand to study or work. In the 1960s and 1970s, larger numbers of African immigrants arrived in New Zealand, including refugees from countries such as Zambia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.[2]
Today, African New Zealanders make up a small but growing portion of the New Zealand population. According to the 2018 New Zealand Census, there were 16,890 people in New Zealand who identified as being of African ancestry.[3]
The history of African New Zealanders dates back to the late 19th century, when the first African immigrants arrived in the country. These early immigrants were mostly students and professionals who came to New Zealand to study or work.
In the early 20th century, African immigration to New Zealand remained relatively small, with only a handful of African students and professionals coming to the country each year. In the 1960s and 1970s, however, larger numbers of African immigrants began to arrive in New Zealand, including refugees from countries such as Zambia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
In the 1980s and 1990s, African immigration to New Zealand continued to increase with many African immigrants settling in the larger cities of Auckland and Wellington most of the immigrants being refugees, these refugees often arrived with few possessions and had experienced traumatic events in their home countries. Many came from countries in crisis, such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe, where wars and brutal political regimes had driven thousands from their homes.
African New Zealanders are a diverse and multicultural community, with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds. Their cultural traditions and practices are shaped by the diverse countries and regions from which they or their ancestors come, as well as by their experiences living in New Zealand.
African New Zealanders have a wide variety of cultural practices and traditions, including music, dance, art, food, and dress. Many African New Zealanders participate in cultural events and festivals that celebrate their heritage and traditions, such as the Africa Day Festival, which is held each year in Auckland to celebrate the diversity of African culture.[4]