The National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to announce a new appointment to the North Island Regional Bahá'í Council.
BWNS: Following tragedy, New Zealand’s Bahá’ís work for unity, healing
In the weeks after a deadly terror attack, the people of New Zealand, still in mourning and shock, are responding with a newfound resolve and dedication to eradicate prejudice and hatred from their society.
Compilation on prayer and devotional life
A Compilation of Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Letters of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.
Opportunities to serve at the Bahá’í World Centre
As the vital work of the Cause unfolds in every part of the world, the effective functioning of the Bahá’í World Centre is supported by a flow of believers from a diversity of countries and occupations who arise selflessly to offer a period of service, of varying length, in the Holy Land.
“He Raranga Hou - National Bahá’í Teaching Conference" 24-26 May 2019
He Raranga Hou translates literally as "a weaving anew”. The conference will give impetus to more individuals weaving a “spiritual, dynamic, [and] transformative” pattern of life.
Unit Conventions and the responsibilities of delegates
On 10 February 2019, over 389 individuals gathered in 14 locations to participate in unit conventions.
At these conventions, the Bahá’ís vote by secret ballot for delegates who are duly responsible to elect the nine persons to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly for the term of one administrative year.
Service Opportunity at National Office
The National Spiritual Assembly is inviting expressions of interest from members of the Bahá’í community for service opportunities in the National Secretariat at the New Zealand Bahá’í National Office in Newmarket, Auckland.
Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP) - 2018 seminars
The 2018 seminar—held from 8 to 18 December at the Waihi Academy—was the seventh time the seminars have been offered in New Zealand. A group of 42 young adults from around the country came together, and all four years of the programme were offered for the third year in a row.
Seeing in each person... a potential protagonist
Over the past year the friends in Invercargill have been focused on strengthening the process of expansion and consolidation that was stimulated by the bicentenary celebrations of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in 2017.
Efforts to expand the nucleus of friends in the Wesley neighbourhood
One of many examples where young people are dedicating their time and energy in reaching out in friendship to others.
Bahá’í Wall Calendar (176 B.E.)
Each page of this 15 month wall calendar contains a vivid photograph taken by Bahá’í photographers living in or visiting places all over the world.
Bahá'í Readings for Children
Bahá'í Readings for Children is a beautifully-illustrated board book for children containing selections from the Words of Bahá’ulláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
The Ocean of His Words
A reader's guide to the art of Bahá’u’lláh, this second edition embraces the entire range of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.
Naw-Rúz 176 B.E.
Naw-Rúz is the first day of the new year. It coincides with the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, which usually occurs on 21 March. Bahá’u’lláh explains that this feast day is to be celebrated on whatever day the sun passes into the constellation of Aries (i.e. the vernal equinox), even should this occur one minute before sunset. Hence Naw-Rúz could fall on 20, 21, or 22 March, depending on the time of the equinox (Notes from The Kitáb-i-Aqdas).
In dark times - being a beacon of hope through words and actions
As the New Zealand nation goes through a period of reflection and soul searching, myriad opportunities are opened before the friends to cast the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation ever wider.
Prayer Campaign
The National Assembly and Regional Councils have decided to extend the summer prayer campaign to Ridván, and we eagerly seek your continued offerings of prayer for meeting the goals of the Plan.
Ayyám-i-Há
Bahá’u’lláh enjoined upon His followers to devote these days (26 February to 1 March 2019, inclusive) to feasting, rejoicing and charity. In a letter written on Shoghi Effendi’s behalf it is explained that “the intercalary days are specially set aside for hospitality, the giving of gifts, etc.”
A collection of Baha’u’llah’s mystical writings published
A new volume of Bahá’u’lláh’s mystical works is now available online and in print. Although we do not currently have stocks of this book in New Zealand, they will soon be available, and in the meantime and particularly during the Fast, you may want to go to the Baha’i Reference Library to read this volume online.
What is my role in the process?
The South Island Council reflects on how the recent South Island Summer School highlighted the role of the individual in the Plan, demonstrated by the energy and initiative of a junior youth, the determined efforts of pioneers, and by the pledges of young and old to carry out acts of service.
"We were all committed to learning..."
For seven days in January youth from the communities of Waimakariri, Waitaki, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill gathered together to learn how we, as youth, can create true bonds of friendship and how, by working with younger youth, we can foster a spirit of unity and service in our own communities.