[citation needed] Buddhism grew significantly as a religion in New Zealand during the 1970s and 1980s with the arrival of Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees, coinciding with increased interest in Buddhist teaching from Western communities.
In 2008 the Sixth Global Conference on Buddhism brought leading teachers and scholars to Auckland under the auspices of the New Zealand Buddhist Foundation.
[4] They engage with local and national government over issues of concern to Buddhist communities, support their members administratively and promote dialogue and understanding between the rich diversity of traditions in the country.
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple South Island in Christchurch's Riccarton Road opened in 2007; it was designed by Warren and Mahoney.
[15] Vimutti Buddhist Monastery was established near Bombay and Ararimu in rural southern Auckland Region in early 2000.
[17][18] Wat Lao Buddharam in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland, was constructed by Laotian refugees in 1989,[3] and Ratanadipa Buddhist Temple, a Burmese community temple, was established in 2002 by the Auckland Myanmar Buddhist Association.