People group profile · PG009630
The Persians of New Zealand
The Persians of New Zealand, numbering about 7,400 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a complex Iranian community shaped by a rich history, multifaceted blend of ancient traditions, cultural heritage, modern influences, Islamic values, and a strong sense of national pride and resilience.
They are a diaspora people in the Persian people cluster of the Persian-Median Peoples. Their primary religion is Shia Islam, and they primarily speak Iranian Persian.
Fast facts
- Country
- New Zealand
- Population
- 7,400
- Affinity group
- Central Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Persian
- Primary language
- Iranian Persian (pes)
- Primary religion
- Shia Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Expanding Unreached People Group
- Region
- Australia and New Zealand, Oceania
Where they live
Gospel status
The Persians are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Persians
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
Shia Islam · Islam
87% adherents
Primary language
Iranian Persian · Indo-European family
100% speak Iranian Persian
Gospel resources in Iranian Persian
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- JESUS (Farsi, Western)
- Magdalena (Farsi, Western)
- The Savior (Farsi, Western)
Bibles
- New Millenium Version 2009 · audio
- New Millenium Version 2014 · video, text
- Today's Persian Version · audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Persians
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
Persian in other countries
The same people (ROP3 107987) is reported in 29 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persians | Iran | 29,490,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | United Arab Emirates | 555,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Iraq | 511,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | United States | 466,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Qatar | 276,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Bahrain | 225,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Canada | 202,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Germany | 175,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Turkiye | 130,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Afghanistan | 117,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | United Kingdom | 86,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Australia | 84,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | France | 65,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Kuwait | 50,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Netherlands | 36,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Uzbekistan | 34,500 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Malaysia | 21,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Oman | 16,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Denmark | 15,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Austria | 15,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Pakistan | 13,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Belgium | 12,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Italy | 11,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Persians | Syria | 10,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Persians | Indonesia | 8,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Armenia | 7,800 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | South Korea | 3,500 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Greece | 2,400 | No Longer Unreached |
| Persians | Azerbaijan | 1,400 | Engaged yet Unreached |
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