Auckland Assembly marks a century of service
The Auckland Bahá’í community recently held a commemorative function for a remarkable milestone: one hundred years of continuous service of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Auckland. Held at a prestigious function room atop the Auckland War Memorial Museum, the centenary event brought together the Spiritual Assembly of Auckland, with dignitaries, friends of the Faith, and guests from across the wider community in a spirit of celebration, reflection, and gratitude for a century of service to the people of Tāmaki Makaurau.
Held before an audience of approximately 460 attendees, including an estimated 208 individuals who are not members of the Bahá’í community, the evening highlighted both the long-standing contribution of the Bahá’í community to the growing spirit of unity and fellowship within the city. Guests were welcomed with refreshments before a formal programme featuring a mihi whakatau by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, music, presentations, speeches, and specially produced videos reflecting both the global Bahá’í community and a brief exposition of the history of the Faith in Auckland over the past one hundred years.
A particularly meaningful feature of the evening was the presentation of a charter depicting100 Acts of Service offered by the Bahá’í community to Auckland City, received by the Deputy Mayor, Ms Desley Simpson. This charter, offered by the Auckland Bahá’í community, outlines social action initiatives of short-term duration that will be undertaken in the coming year as a contribution to the betterment of society.
Throughout the venue, guests were able to view displays featuring photographs of the Bahá’í World Centre and Houses of Worship from around the world, while complimentary introductory publications about the Bahá’í Faith were made available to visitors.
The National Spiritual Assembly congratulates the Auckland Assembly on its milestone achievement of consistently maintaining an Assembly over these past 100 years. The National Assembly prays for the continued contribution of the Auckland Assembly, and the Bahá’í community of New Zealand as a whole, to the spiritual and social life of Aotearoa New Zealand.
