Regional Councils begin their new term of service

The National Spiritual Assembly wrote to the Bahá'ís of Aotearoa New Zealand on 1 December 2021 (letter below) announcing the new membership. The National Assembly takes this opportunity to publicly pay tribute to the dedicated service of outgoing members: Jenny Hindin Miller and Lex MacDonald in the South Island, and Pryanka Nassiry in the North Island, all three of whom have served with consecration and capacity over many years. Their long-serving membership of their respective Councils has won the admiration of institutions and individuals alike, and we lovingly thank them for their contributions over such a significant formative period for the Regional Councils.

Tēnā koutou katoa

“This is a vital year for all of us, not least for the Councils, as the One Year Plan draws to a close with certain milestones to be achieved and with a series of conferences to be held in preparation for the launch of the Nine Year Plan.”

We are delighted to announce the appointment of New Zealand’s Regional Bahá'í Councils for Te-Ika-a-Māui (North Island) and Te Waipounamu (South Island) for their new one-year term, which commenced on the Day of the Covenant, 178 B.E. (25 November 2021).

The National Assembly appoints the members of the Councils from a confidential list of nominees, constituted from the outcome of voting by Local Spiritual Assemblies and persons proposed by the members of the Auxiliary Boards within whose areas of responsibility the region lies.

For the North Island Regional Council the following believers are appointed, in alphabetical order: Disee Anorpong, Drisana Brown, Rizana Imtiaz, Andrew McNaughton, Nick Moss, Sana Motlagh, Robyn O’Connor, Saia Tu’itahi, Erica Zemke-Smith.

For the South Island Regional Council the following believers are appointed, in alphabetical order: Sama Faramarzi, Jeff Jain, Christine Pani, Elti Sannyasi, Onna Tangifolau.

The institutions of the Regional Bahá'í Councils are pivotal bodies for leading the Plan processes in Aotearoa New Zealand and accomplishing the goals—including the systematic advancement of clusters, the movement of pioneers, and the encouragement of friends and institutions to participate in the activities of expansion and consolidation. This year, members of the Regional Bahá’í Councils began their service as the Bahá’í world celebrated the 100th anniversary of the commencement of the Formative Age and commemorated the passing of the beloved Master.

This is a vital year for all of us, not least for the Councils, as the One Year Plan draws to a close with certain milestones to be achieved and with a series of conferences to be held in preparation for the launch of the Nine Year Plan. The National Assembly encourages every individual, community and cluster to offer wholehearted support to the vital work of your Regional Bahá’í Council.

We assure both of these much loved, hard-working Councils that the prayers of the National Spiritual Assembly are offered for confirmations in their efforts to assist the growth of the Faith in Aotearoa.

[Signed: National Spiritual Assembly]