Regional Bahá’í Council membership for 2025–2026
On 5 November the National Spiritual Assembly announced the membership of the Regional Bahá'í Councils for the coming term of service. The announcement letter is shared below.
5 November 2025
3 Qudrat 182
To the Bahá'ís of Aotearoa New Zealand
Announcing the membership of the Regional Bahá’í Councils for their next term
Tēnā koutou katoa dear friends
The National Spiritual Assembly is delighted to announce the membership of New Zealand’s Regional Bahá'í Councils for Te-Ika-a-Māui (North Island) and Te Waipounamu (South Island) for their next one-year term of service commencing on the Day of the Covenant, 25 November 2025.
For Te Ika a Māui (North Island), the following believers will comprise membership of the Bahá'í Council (listed in alphabetical order): Roya Ebrahimi, Shirin Gabel, Aashish Indorewala, Brenda Miller, Tevita Niupalavu, Robyn O’Connor, Alex Rivers, Tuakalau Sakopo, Nina Tu’i.
For Te Waipounamu (South Island) Council, the following believers are appointed (listed in alphabetical order): Tala Asaua-Pesa, Devon Gundry, Ezra Hopkins, June Lim, Samuel Whitley.
We invite individuals, communities, institutions and agencies to support these devoted servants in their role and to wholeheartedly collaborate with these precious institutions, as they shoulder significant responsibilities during the Nine Year Plan, especially as we prepare to enter the second phase of the Plan and strive together to win ever greater victories for the progress of the Cause in Aotearoa.
The National Assembly expresses its abiding love and gratitude to outgoing members, Mrs Sama Hall, Dr Aqilah Imtiaz, Mr Andrew McNaughton, and Mrs Onna Tangifolau for their dedicated and sacrificial service on their respective Regional Bahá’í Councils. We offer heartfelt prayers for these dear friends and their families that the Blessed Beauty may continue to guide and confirm their endeavours in service to the Cause. We know that all four of them will continue to lend considerable support using the knowledge, experience and capacities they have gained through their years of serving in this role.
We take this opportunity to thank all of those members of the Local Spiritual Assemblies around Aotearoa who gave diligent attention and care to voting for the Council membership.
Dear friends, the National Assembly is confident that through all of our continued efforts, the light of divine guidance will shine ever brighter in every region, and we invite you to join us in offering prayers and support for these beloved regional institutions of our Faith.
Loving Bahá’í greetings,
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand
