<P> While the overall Pacific Islander community grew 15% according to census data from 2001 to 2006, Muslim Pacific Islanders grew 87.43% . According to 2013 census data, there were 1,536 Muslims among the Pacific islander community (a little under 3.5% of New Zealand's Muslim population). The most famous Muslim from this community is rugby player and heavyweight boxer, Sonny Bill Williams . </P> <P> According to 2013 census data, there were 4,353 Muslims (about 9.5% of the total Muslim population) among the European community (Pākehā). </P> <P> In 2006, two newspapers in New Zealand decided to republish controversial Danish cartoons depicting Muhammad, the prophet of Islam . The Muslim community registered their displeasure through press statements and a small peaceful march in Auckland . The editors said they did not mean offence but would not back down . Prime Minister Helen Clark and opposition leader Don Brash both made statements that the cartoons were not appreciated if they deeply offended members of the New Zealand community, but that such decisions were for editors to make, not politicians . Muslim leaders and the editors got together with the Race Relations office, and Jewish and Christian representatives in Wellington . As a result of this meeting the editors said they would not apologise but in good faith would refrain from publishing the offending images again . The New Zealand Muslim leadership, through the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIAN) Z, then proceeded in good faith to consider the matter closed, and drafted letters to 52 Muslim countries reversing their earlier stance and asking that New Zealand products not be boycotted . </P> <P> In November 2016, Dr Mohammad Anwar Sahib, the Imam of the Al - Taqwa mosque in Manukau, Auckland and a religious adviser to the FIANZ, drew controversy when he made offensive remarks about Jews, Christians, and women in a series of speeches that were posted by the right - wing blogger Cameron Slater on YouTube . Sahib's comments were condemned by a wide range of figures and groups in New Zealand society including the FIANZ's President Hazim Arafeh, the Islamic Women's Council of New Zealand (IWCNZ), the Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy, the Ethnic Communities Minister Sam Lotu - Iiga, the ACT party David Seymour, the New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, the New Zealand Jewish Council, and the Ahmadiyya community . In response to negative publicity, Sahib was dismissed from his advisory position at the FIANZ . Sahib denied accusations of racism and issued a statement claiming his statements had been taken out of context . </P>

How many mosques are there in new zealand