Places of Worship

It may come as a surprise to learn New Zealand is one of the most secular countries in the world - 'Christian heritage' is increasingly seen here as 'baggage of empire' and therefore to be down-played. Ignoring Māori traditions (which is a whole other story), there was formerly a lot of 'western' religion - suiting those who had 'a place in society' in the new colony, but presumably also ministering to the many who had pretty rough lives here. 

Out in the country, churches are simple wooden affairs, sometimes arriving in 'kit' form and still occasionally moved to new sites. In the cities the stories are more of huge ambition, social need, shortage of funds, a few generous benefactors, and endless working around conflicting interests. And an extra  complication here is, of course... earthquakes.