Mauao Man

Islam and New Zealand’s Indigenous and Pacific Communities:

Two Very Different Stories

Introduction: A Tale of Two Communities

Islam in New Zealand is often seen as a religion of immigrants — with most Muslims coming from South Asia, the Middle East, or Africa. But two other communities have a unique and growing relationship with Islam: Māori and Pacific Islanders.

These two communities have very different stories when it comes to Islam. For Māori, Islam is a religion of choice — with individuals converting and finding a personal connection with the faith. For Pacific Islanders, especially Fijians, Islam is often a matter of heritage — passed down through generations.

But what draws Māori to a faith so different from their own traditional beliefs? And how did Islam become a part of the Pacific Island story in the first place? This post explores the relationship between Islam and these two communities, how it began, how it has grown, and what it means for the future of Islam in New Zealand.

1. Islam and the Māori Community: A Faith of Choice, Not Tradition

Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, with a rich cultural heritage rooted in Polynesian spirituality. Their traditional beliefs center around concepts like whakapapa (genealogy), mana (spiritual power), and tapu (sacredness). But in recent decades, a small but growing number of Māori have embraced Islam — a faith that comes from a completely different cultural and religious background.

A Brief History: Māori Encounters with Islam

Early Muslim Visitors: Some of the first Muslims to arrive in New Zealand were sailors and traders from the Malay Archipelago in the early 19th century. Māori may have encountered these Muslim sailors, but there is no evidence of conversion at that time.
Islam in the Modern Era: The real connection between Māori and Islam began in the late 20th century, with Māori individuals converting to Islam through personal exploration, interactions with Muslim friends, or encounters with Islamic teachings online.
Influence of International Dawah: Some Māori have been influenced by international Muslim speakers and Dawah (Islamic evangelism), including figures like Yusuf Estes, Zakir Naik, and Khalid Yasin.

Why Do Some Māori Convert to Islam?

For Māori who choose to become Muslim, the journey is deeply personal. Here are some of the most common reasons:

A Search for Identity: Some Māori who have experienced disconnection from their traditional culture and spirituality see Islam as a way to find a clear, disciplined faith.
A Sense of Community: For some Māori converts, the sense of brotherhood and sisterhood in the Muslim community is a powerful attraction.
Moral Structure: Islam’s clear teachings on morality, family life, and personal conduct appeal to some Māori who are looking for a strong moral framework.
Social Justice and Equality: Māori who see Islam as a faith that promotes equality, justice, and respect for all races may be drawn to its teachings.
Positive Interactions with Muslims: Māori who have had positive experiences with Muslim friends, neighbors, or co-workers may become curious about Islam.
Rejection of Western Materialism: Some Māori converts see Islam as a way to reject what they view as the empty materialism of Western society.

Real-World Examples: Māori Muslims Making an Impact

Te Amorangi Izhaq Kireka: A well-known Māori Muslim who converted to Islam in his 20s and is now an active member of the Muslim community.
Hikurangi Jackson: A Māori convert who has become an advocate for interfaith dialogue and understanding between Māori and Muslim communities.
Mosques with Māori Converts: Some mosques in Auckland, Wellington, and Hamilton have a small but visible group of Māori Muslims who attend regularly.
Hāngī and Halal: Māori Muslims sometimes blend traditional Māori practices with Islamic principles — such as preparing a traditional hāngī with halal meat.

Challenges for Māori Muslims:

Cultural Conflict: Māori Muslims must balance their new faith with their cultural heritage, including traditional beliefs and customs.
Isolation: Māori Muslims are often a small minority within their own community, which can lead to feelings of isolation.
Family Reactions: Some Māori Muslims face resistance or rejection from family members who see their conversion as a betrayal of Māori culture.
Public Misunderstanding: Māori Muslims are sometimes misunderstood by other New Zealanders, who see their faith as a foreign religion rather than a personal choice.

2. Islam and the Pacific Island Community: A Faith of Heritage and Identity

Islam’s connection to the Pacific Islands is a very different story. For many Pacific Islanders in New Zealand, especially those from Fiji, Islam is not a new discovery — it is a faith they were born into.

A Brief History: How Islam Reached the Pacific

Indentured Labor in Fiji: Islam was introduced to Fiji in the late 19th century when Indian indentured laborers were brought to the islands by the British. Among these laborers were Muslims, who established the first Islamic community in Fiji.
Cultural Integration: Over time, these Fijian Muslims developed a unique cultural identity that blended Indian, Fijian, and Islamic traditions.
Migration to New Zealand: Many Fijian Muslims have moved to New Zealand, especially to Auckland, seeking better economic opportunities. Today, they are the largest Pacific Muslim community in the country.

The Cultural Identity of Fijian Muslims:

Language: Fijian Muslims often speak Hindi, Fijian, and English, blending their cultural heritage with their Islamic faith.
Cuisine: Fijian Muslim cuisine is a blend of Indian flavors (such as curry and roti) with Pacific Island ingredients like coconut, fish, and taro.
Community Life: Fijian Muslims maintain strong family ties, value respect for elders, and celebrate both Islamic festivals (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha) and cultural events.
Distinct Mosques: Fijian Muslims have their own mosques and community organizations, which reflect their unique blend of culture and faith.

Other Pacific Island Muslims:

While Fijian Muslims are the largest Pacific Muslim community, there are also small numbers of Muslims from other Pacific Islands, including Samoa and Tonga.
Most of these are recent converts rather than second or third-generation Muslims.
Islamic awareness campaigns and Dawah have introduced Islam to some Pacific Island communities.

Challenges for Pacific Island Muslims:

Maintaining Cultural Traditions: Fijian Muslims must balance their Pacific heritage with their Islamic faith.
Cultural Misunderstandings: Other Pacific Islanders sometimes misunderstand or stereotype Fijian Muslims as “Indian” rather than recognizing their unique identity.
Integration in the Wider Muslim Community: Fijian Muslims may feel disconnected from South Asian or Middle Eastern Muslims, whose cultural practices are different.

3. Comparing the Two Communities: Faith by Choice vs. Faith by Heritage

Aspect	Māori Muslims	Pacific Island Muslims
How Islam Arrived	Through personal choice (conversion)	Through heritage (Fijian Muslims)
Community Size	Small but growing	Larger, especially in Auckland
Cultural Identity	Balancing Māori culture and Islam	Blending Pacific and Islamic identities
Key Motivations	Identity, moral structure, community	Family tradition, heritage, community
Challenges	Isolation, cultural conflict	Balancing cultural and religious values
Public Perception	Often misunderstood	Seen as part of the Fijian community

Conclusion: Two Paths to Islam — Two Stories of Faith

For Māori, Islam is a faith of choice — a personal journey of discovery and identity. For Pacific Islanders, especially Fijians, Islam is a faith of heritage — passed down through generations.

Both stories show how diverse and adaptable Islam can be — and how it takes on new forms as it becomes part of New Zealand’s cultural landscape.

History of Islam in New Zealand: From the First Arrivals to Today
Are Most Muslims in New Zealand Actually Kiwis? Exploring the Truth Behind the Numbers
The Christchurch Effect: How a Tragedy Gave New Zealand’s Muslim Community Unprecedented Influence
What is Dawah? Understanding Islamic Evangelism — And Why It Matters
Why Dawah is Only in the Big Cities: Islam’s Two Worlds in New Zealand
Islam: What It Really Teaches — And What It Means for New Zealand

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About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.