Muslims only form a small part of New Zealand’s population. However, it’s a population that thrives in the pride the country takes in its multicultural diversity. Traveling to New Zealand as a follower of Islam will not be too much of a challenge when it comes to finding safe food to eat and a quiet place to pray. This guide will ensure a Muslim friendly trip to New Zealand!
Finding halal food in New Zealand
Food that is safe for Muslims to eat is easy to find in New Zealand. New Zealand is actually one of the largest exporters of halal products. Halal food certification is closely monitored by the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and New Zealand Islamic Development Trust (NZIDT).
This means in the larger urban cities like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, you won’t have to look very hard to find a restaurant that serves halal food. Just go to the nearest mosque or masjid and you’re sure to find one to your liking there. Some restaurants that sell halal food may serve alcohol as well, however.
Your options for a halal dining experience may become limited once you venture into the smaller towns. Fret not, at least you’ll still have choices. If you have access to a kitchen and you know how to cook, you won’t find it difficult to find a store that sells halal meats and produce.
Finding places for prayer in New Zealand
There are a number of mosques all over New Zealand to cater to the spiritual needs of its Muslim residents. While there aren’t many of them, you won’t find it hard to locate them. Most of them are in the larger urban areas, but some of the smaller towns have an Islamic center as well. There are also a few establishments in the larger cities that maintain facilities that Muslims can use while praying. Here is a list of the more prominent mosques in New Zealand: Auckland: Ponsonby Mosque, Ranui Mosque Christchurch: Canterbury-Christchurch Mosque Dunedin: Al-Huda Mosque Tauranga: Tauranga Mosque Wellington: Wellington Masjid
To make it easier for you to find places to eat and pray as a Muslim in New Zealand, you may want to consider booking your trip with a guide from a travel agency that’s experienced in Muslim travel. The agency will guide you through safe options that will make your travel to New Zealand much more pleasant. Find out more about New Zealand in the articles we’ve listed here!
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