All friends are lovingly encouraged to perhaps make this year’s Ayyám-i-Há particularly special by giving a gift of love to the National Fund. Ensuring that we meet the financial needs of the Faith for the year will enable us to enter the final year of the Five Year Plan on a strong footing, able to meet the goals with confidence and surety.

The National Spiritual Assembly addresses “each dear soul who has conscientiously honoured the divine system of the Bahá’í electoral and consultative process by being present at your Unit Convention.“ It directs their eyes, hearts and minds towards the three recent “magnificent messages” from the Supreme Institution and offers reflection questions to stimulate consultation.

Some 900 friends participated in the North and South Island Bahá’í Summer Schools held December 2018 and January 2019. Many participants were inspired to take action over the coming months, and nearly 500 specific acts of service were pledged.

The principle that governs the functioning of all Bahá'í institutions is service to the needs and well-being of the community, and Summer Schools are no exception.

The recent Twin Holy Birthdays provided an opportunity for individuals, families and communities to create celebrations “that uplift hearts and kindle spirits.”

The National Treasurer shares the current needs of the National Fund, and explores some principles around generous and sacrificial giving.

The National Spiritual Assembly is meeting with Local Spiritual Assemblies throughout Aotearoa to explore together the areas of focus for the national community.

The National Assembly lovingly invites all the friends to contribute prayers (the Tablet of Ahmad and Fire Tablet will be particularly potent) for a summer of intensive activities for everyone, including the success of the summer initiative, and for the achievement of the goals of the Plan.

Nine North Island and five South Island believers have been appointed to the two Regional Councils for a one-year term commencing on the Day of the Covenant, 26 November 2018. Heartfelt appreciation expressed for the dedicated services of outgoing members of the Councils.

Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly regarding the celebration of Twin Holy Days, 9-10 November 2018.

A “close embrace” of the New Zealand Bahá'í community with its sister community, the Caroline Islands, through financial collaboration gives a sense of global solidarity.

The 20th anniversary of the martyrdom of Hedi Moani was held on Saturday 13 October 2018, and was attended by over 120 people. A letter from the National Spiritual Assembly was read during the programme.

A gathering was held to thank Dr Tom Roa, his “team” and whanau for the work that has gone into the translation of prayers of the Central Figures of the Faith, compiled into New Zealand’s first substantive Bahá’í prayer book in te reo Māori, Ētahi Karakia Bahá’í.

The National Institutional Meeting was held to help the National Assembly “grasp more fully what was taking place at the grassroots of the community and to determine how they could encourage and refine the unfolding process of expansion and consolidation”.

This is the second of two letters containing information and encouragement aimed at ensuring that the community of the Greatest Name is in the best possible position to befittingly celebrate the bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb in October 2019 and to win the goals of the Five Year Plan.

This letter is the first of two letters from the National Assembly aimed at ensuring that the community of the Greatest Name is in the best possible position to befittingly celebrate the bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb in October 2019 and to win the goals of the Five Year Plan.

The National Spiritual Assembly is eager to see that every Bahá’í university student is encouraged to participate in the seminars to be held in Waihi (8-18 December) by the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP).

The National Spiritual Assembly highlights significant letters and resources In preparation for the bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb that will be celebrated on 29-30 October 2019.

The National Spiritual Assembly has three main areas of focus for the third year of the current Five Year Plan (175-176 B.E.).

Ms Tessa Scrine has been assigned as the liaison Counsellor for New Zealand and will be collaborating directly with the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand and the Regional Baha’i Councils for North and South Islands.