Mauao Man

The Hidden History: Early Muslim Settlers in New Zealand

From Sailors and Whalers to the First Muslim Communities

Introduction: A Forgotten Legacy

When most New Zealanders think of Islam, they may picture modern mosques, Islamic schools, or recent migrants from the Middle East and South Asia. But the history of Islam in New Zealand goes much further back — to the days of sailors, traders, and whalers who brought their faith to these distant shores.

This post uncovers the hidden history of New Zealand’s early Muslim settlers — men who sailed the Pacific, traded in coastal settlements, and quietly laid the foundations of a community that would one day become an essential part of the nation’s multicultural fabric.

1. The First Muslim Visitors: Sailors and Traders in the 19th Century

1. Malay and Indian Sailors: The Earliest Muslim Contacts

The earliest Muslims to visit New Zealand were likely Malay sailors who worked on European ships in the early 1800s.
Some were employed as whalers and traders, working on ships that stopped at ports like the Bay of Islands, Russell, and Auckland.
These early Muslim sailors did not settle permanently, but they left a cultural footprint, interacting with Māori and European settlers.

2. Abdul Rahman: New Zealand’s First Known Muslim Settler

One of the earliest recorded Muslims in New Zealand was Abdul Rahman, a Muslim whaler who arrived in the Bay of Islands in the 1830s.
Rahman worked on a whaling ship and later settled in the Bay of Islands, marrying a local Māori woman.
His presence is a reminder that Muslims were part of New Zealand’s early colonial history, even if they were few in number.

3. Indian and Chinese Muslim Traders

In the mid-19th century, small numbers of Indian and Chinese Muslim traders began arriving in New Zealand, selling spices, textiles, and other goods.
These traders often moved between New Zealand and Australia, building networks across the Pacific.
While they did not establish permanent communities, they helped introduce New Zealanders to new goods, ideas, and cultures.

2. The First Muslim Communities: Settling in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

1. The Arrival of Gujarati Muslims

In the late 1800s, Gujarati Muslim traders from India began settling in New Zealand, particularly in Auckland and Wellington.
These early settlers were primarily involved in small businesses, including grocery stores, clothing shops, and textile trading.
Many came from the Kutch region of India, which had a long history of maritime trade.

2. The Establishment of Mosques

The first unofficial prayer gatherings were held in the homes of early Muslim settlers.
It was not until the 1950s that the first official mosque was established — the Al-Noor Mosque in Christchurch, which would become a central hub for New Zealand’s Muslim community.
Other early mosques included the Ponsonby Mosque in Auckland and the Wellington Islamic Centre.

3. The Formation of Muslim Organizations

In the 1950s, the first Muslim organizations were formed to provide religious guidance, social support, and a sense of community.
The New Zealand Muslim Association (NZMA) was established in 1950, becoming the first official Muslim organization in the country.
These organizations helped Muslims maintain their faith and cultural practices in a predominantly Christian society.

3. Muslim Pioneers: Stories of Resilience and Faith

1. Ibrahim Ali: The Merchant Pioneer

Ibrahim Ali, a Gujarati Muslim merchant, arrived in Auckland in the 1890s.
He established a successful textile business, importing fabrics from India and selling them in New Zealand.
Despite facing discrimination, he became a respected figure in the Auckland business community.

2. Fatima Begum: A Trailblazing Muslim Woman

Fatima Begum, one of the earliest Muslim women in New Zealand, arrived in the early 1900s with her husband, a Gujarati trader.
Known for her generosity, she hosted iftar (breaking of the fast) meals for other Muslim families during Ramadan.
Her home became a gathering place for early Muslim settlers, providing a sense of community and support.

3. Mohammed Khan: A Story of Survival

Mohammed Khan, an Afghan cameleer who had worked in Australia, arrived in New Zealand in the early 1900s.
Khan settled in the South Island, where he worked as a shepherd and farm laborer.
He maintained his faith quietly, praying alone in the open countryside and observing Ramadan even when far from any Muslim community.

4. The Challenges of Being Muslim in Early New Zealand

1. Cultural Isolation

Early Muslim settlers lived in a predominantly Christian society, with few opportunities to practice their faith openly.
They often had to pray in private, and halal food was almost impossible to obtain.
Muslim women who wore traditional clothing were often seen as unusual, drawing unwanted attention.

2. Discrimination and Prejudice

Muslim traders sometimes faced discrimination from European settlers who viewed them as “foreigners.”
They were excluded from some business networks and had to work hard to gain acceptance in the local community.

3. Maintaining Faith Without Mosques

For many years, Muslims in New Zealand had no mosques or religious schools.
They relied on private gatherings, prayer at home, and correspondence with Muslim communities overseas to maintain their faith.

5. The Turning Point: Post-War Immigration and the Birth of Modern Muslim Communities

1. The Post-War Immigration Boom

After World War II, New Zealand experienced a wave of immigration, including a growing number of Muslims from India, Pakistan, and Fiji.
These new arrivals established the first formal Muslim communities, built mosques, and created Islamic organizations.

2. The Arrival of Fijian Muslims

Fijian Muslims arrived in significant numbers in the 1960s and 1970s, bringing with them a strong sense of community and religious knowledge.
Fijian Muslims helped establish the first Islamic schools and played a key role in community leadership.

3. A New Generation of Muslim Leaders

As the Muslim community grew, a new generation of leaders emerged, including professionals, educators, and religious scholars.
Organizations like FIANZ (Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand) were established to provide religious guidance and advocate for Muslim rights.

6. The Legacy of New Zealand’s Early Muslims

1. The Roots of a Growing Community

The early Muslim settlers laid the foundations for a vibrant and diverse Muslim community in New Zealand.
Their stories are a reminder of the resilience and determination of those who practiced their faith in a distant and unfamiliar land.

2. Recognizing the Pioneers

Today, New Zealand’s Muslim community is made up of people from all over the world — but it owes much to the pioneers who came before them.
Figures like Abdul Rahman, Ibrahim Ali, and Fatima Begum deserve to be remembered as part of New Zealand’s rich multicultural history.

Conclusion: The Hidden History of Islam in New Zealand

The history of Islam in New Zealand is older than many people realize. It began with sailors, traders, and whalers who crossed the Pacific, bringing their faith with them. It continued with Gujarati merchants, Afghan laborers, and Fijian community leaders who built the first mosques and organizations.

Today, New Zealand’s Muslim community is a thriving part of the nation’s multicultural fabric. But behind this modern success lies a hidden history of resilience, faith, and quiet perseverance — a history that deserves to be remembered.

The Changing Face of Islam in New Zealand: From Immigrants to Native Kiwis
The Christchurch Effect: How a Tragedy Changed the Perception of Islam in New Zealand
Islam: What It Really Teaches — And What It Means for New Zealand
1,400 Years of Division: How Islam’s Ancient Conflicts Shape New Zealand Today
Muslim Women in New Zealand: Voices Behind the Veil

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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.