New Zealand is becoming less religious, exhibiting a sharp fall in the number of people who identify as Christian.

A new report, Faith and Belief in New Zealand, says a third of New Zealanders identify with Christianity, down from 43 per cent in the 2013 Census and 49 per cent in the 2006 Census. The results of the 2018 Census are yet to be released.

20 per cent have spiritual beliefs but don't identify with any main religion and 35 per cent identify with no religion or spiritual belief.

The remainder identify with other religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.

The report was commissioned by the Wilberforce Foundation, an Auckland-based Christian organisation.

Meanwhile, in America, 'hip hop churches' are on the rise, with rappers and artists such as Kanye West, presenting a different option for religious congregations. 

Wilberforce adviser Chris Clarke joined Kerre McIvor to discuss why those churches are on the rise while traditional religion is declining.

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