A tribute to fifteen years of consecrated service
As the Bahá’í community of Aotearoa reflects on the close of Counsellor Tessa Scrine’s term of service on the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia, we do so with immense love and gratitude. During the fifteen years she was a Continental Counsellor—more than eight of which were dedicated closely to the progress of the Faith in New Zealand as our liaison Counsellor—Tessa’s presence has been a source of spiritual strength and encouragement.
In this article, we share a few loving sentiments and Ms Scrine’s response to a farewell letter from the National Spiritual Assembly, along with a photo montage of some moments of her time serving our country with her characteristic exemplary devotion to the Cause of God.
On 24 November 2025, the final day of Counsellor Tessa Scrine’s term of service on the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Aotearoa New Zealand wrote to her expressing its deep love and gratitude. In its letter, the Assembly acknowledged that “the love you have demonstrated for our country and for our Bahá'í community and its institutions and agencies, in so many large and small ways, has been clearly in evidence throughout these many years when you have been our cherished liaison Counsellor.”
Reflecting on the depth of her service, the Assembly noted how she “collaborated with the utmost love and respect for our institution, and [had] always broadened our vision, informed our actions, and shouldered so much of the thinking and planning that has gone into the progress of the Faith in Aotearoa.” The Assembly lovingly affirmed that “without your clear and purposeful endeavours, we have no doubt that the progress that has been made during your tenure would not have happened to the same degree.”
In response to the National Spiritual Assembly’s letter, Ms Scrine offered a heartfelt message that reflects her love for the friends of Aotearoa, her gratitude for the years of shared service, and her confidence in the community’s future. We are pleased to share her message in full below, trusting that it will uplift hearts and encourage renewed dedication as we all continue our efforts.
26 November 2025
To the beloved National Spiritual Assembly of Aotearoa New Zealand,
Thank you for your letter of gratitude on the conclusion of my service on the Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia as well as the beautiful gift of the taonga that you presented to me at our lovely dinner in the home of your National Secretary. I was deeply moved by the sentiments conveyed in your letter as well as the previous letter that you sent to share with the community the message of the Universal House of Justice about the membership of the Boards of Counsellors for the next five years.
Serving Aotearoa as your liaison Counsellor was one of the greatest blessings of my service over these fifteen years. As a newcomer to New Zealand, I experienced from the start the generosity of spirit and heart of the National Spiritual Assembly and felt at all times the deep respect and loving collaboration between our institutions. The relationship between our institutions over these years brought to life the guidance of the Universal House of Justice:
“The relationship of the Continental Boards of Counsellors to National Spiritual Assemblies is one of loving cooperation between two institutions of the Faith that are serving the same ends and are eager to see the same divine confirmations descend upon the efforts of the friends to promote and firmly establish the Cause. It is an evolving relationship that becomes richer as the two institutions face the challenge of building Bahá’í communities and witness with pride the onward march of the Faith.” (The Institution of the Counsellors)
I pray and trust that this relationship will continue to evolve with your new liaison Counsellor/s as you lead the country into the next phase of the Nine Year Plan and beyond.
As you know, I came to love Aotearoa and its people deeply. On all my visits, I felt at one with the friends, institutions and communities across the motu and was embraced by their love for the Institution of the Counsellors and their desire to fulfil the provisions of the Plan.
I look forward with great optimism to the progress to be made in Aotearoa in the next phase of the Plan and will pray for divine confirmations to surround your efforts. In parting, I can but recall the stirring words of the Supreme Institution in its message of 4 June 2025 to New Zealand:
“With the dear believers now entering the last year of the first phase of the Nine Year Plan, we see a dynamic community in which families and young people are taking the institute process to friends and neighbours with joyful confidence, offering it as a powerful instrument for the progress of the people in New Zealand. We will offer prayers at the Sacred Threshold that, as they surge forward, united “like unto the waves of one unending sea”, they may be met with abundant blessings from the realm on high.”
Arohanui,
Your sister,
Tessa
Photo montage
On 29 June 2018, the National Spiritual Assembly was advised by the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Protection and Propagation of the Bahá’í Faith in Australasia “that Tessa Scrine has been assigned as the liaison Counsellor for New Zealand.
Prior to the departure of the Bunne Namdari family for their pioneer post in Tahiti.
Counsellor Tessa Scrine and the National Spiritual Assembly elected at the National Convention April 2022. Left to right: Kim Te’o, Huti Watson, Marc Rivers, Vahid Qualls, Shiva Kolodner, Alan Wilcox, Suzanne Mahon, Saia Tu’itahi, Tessa Scrine. Not present: Sione Tu’itahi.
Counsellor Tessa Scrine in attendance at the North Island institutional meeting Oct 2025, Te Whare Akoranga Bahá'í.
South Island institutional meeting, October 2025
Counsellor Tessa Scrine with friends in Wellington cluster.
A shared "Last supper" with her Auxiliary Board members and their spouses, Nov 2025.
With the newly elected members of the National Spiritual Assembly at the 68th National Convention, April 2024. Absent was Shiva Kolodner.
In attendance with two of her fellow Counsellors, Mr Daniel Pierce Ollam and Dr Vahid Saberi, during the visit from Mr. Dinesh Kumar, a member of the International Teaching Centre, November 2024
Counsellor Tessa Scrine and the delegates for the 69th National Convention, April 2025.
Featured Photo: This was the final farewell gathering of the Counsellor and her team of seven Auxiliary Board members held informally on Monday 3 November 2025 at the Bahá'í property in Manurewa.
