Friends gather across Aotearoa for unit conventions
On Sunday, 15 February, Bahá’í communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand gathered for unit conventions. These annual gatherings offer believers the sacred opportunity to participate in electing delegates who will, in turn, gather at the National Convention to “fulfil the functions of an enlightened, consultative and co-operative body that will enrich the experience, enhance the prestige, support the authority, and assist the deliberations of the National Spiritual Assembly” and will have the great privilege to elect the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.
The National Assembly shared its loving greetings and deep gratitude with the friends attending unit conventions in the following letter. The letter also highlighted an important extract from the recent message of the Universal House of Justice to all the believers around the world.
15 February 2026
10 Mulk/Mana Ariki/Dominion 182
To the lovers of Bahá'u'lláh in Aotearoa
Tēnā koutou, dearly loved sisters and brothers!
With hearts full of love for each of you, and gratitude for the gifts you each bring in the pathway of service to our Beloved, the National Spiritual Assembly warmly greets you at the 23 Unit Conventions taking place around Aotearoa today.
We can do no more than refer you to the beautiful message of the Universal House of Justice dated 4 January 2026 to the Bahá'ís of the World* in which the beloved Supreme Institution writes:
"We invite all to reflect together, whether in dedicated spaces, at regular community gatherings, or within one another’s homes, on what has been learned and what has been accomplished. And in contemplating the significance of this global enterprise, we feel sure you will also be moved to consider how your actions, and those of your household and your community, could help the aim of the Plan to be realized."
Elsewhere, the House of Justice tells us that the community as an entity and protagonist in the progress of humanity can play a leading role when the institute process is at its heart. The Supreme Body advises that reflection spaces should be thoughtful and deliberate, and that the quality and value of reflection is measured by the purposeful action arising from it. Your Unit Conventions are such spaces, where you can bring to one another insights that have arisen from experience, and share how obstacles are being overcome, as you read your evolving realities and adopt approaches suited to local conditions. Beyond any concrete recommendations you might make to the National Spiritual Assembly for its consideration, the greatest outcome of your consultations today will be in the encouragement and energy you gain from one another.
We offer heartfelt wishes for all Unit Conventions to be uplifting, energising gatherings that enhance the resolve of all participants in your devoted, diverse efforts to be “a conscious agent in the work of worldwide spiritual renewal.”**
The National Assembly has expressed its gratitude to the Universal House of Justice for enabling the Faith to acquire land that will adjoin a future national House of Worship for New Zealand. We take this opportunity to also invite the friends to join the National Spiritual Assembly in offering prayers of gratitude to Bahá'u'lláh; beseeching Him that His confirmations will surround the Bahá'í community of Aotearoa and that the hearts of all the believers will be illuminated to fully appreciate the significance of this bounty given by the House of Justice. May every member of our community be enabled to give expression to our profound gratitude to the Universal House of Justice not only in words but also in sacrificial deeds of heroic service to the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh during the coming second phase of the Nine Year Plan.
Arohanui
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand
Te Rῡnanga Wairua Tapu o nga Bahá'í o Aotearoacc Counsellor Jeffrey Sabour
Footnotes:
* This message (31 December 2025), and all other key messages of the Universal House of Justice can be found on the Bahá'í Reference Library website, www.bahai.org/library/**Universal House of Justice, message to the Bahá'ís of the World, 4 January 2026 (also to be found on the Bahá'í Reference Library website
Unit Convention 182 B.E. statistics
Across the 23 units, a total of 858 ballots were cast from 2,386 eligible voters, yielding an overall participation rate of 35.96%. Participation was slightly lower than the previous 3 years, which was recorded at 38% in 2025, 2024 and 2023.
Of the ballots received, 54.4% were cast in person and 45.6% by post.
Gender representation in relation to those elected to be delegates has gradually rebalanced over recent years. Women, who constituted approximately 65% of delegates in 2023, represented 56% in 2026.
Encouragingly, invalid ballots accounted for just 1.63%, and invalid votes 2.33% of total ballots cast, with most arising from voting outside designated unit boundaries.
