National Assembly encourages reflection and purposeful action
On 4 June 2026, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand addressed a letter to the believers of Aotearoa, marking the opening period of the second phase of the Nine Year Plan. Drawing inspiration from the guidance of the Universal House of Justice, the letter invites individuals, families, and communities to reflect on the learning, achievements, and experiences gained thus far, while turning their attention to the opportunities that lie ahead to take action alongside others.
In this letter, the Assembly highlights the significance of this moment in the development of the Plan, noting parallels drawn by the Universal House of Justice between the current Nine Year Plan and the historic Ten Year Crusade. While the needs of humanity and the nature of our efforts today differ from those of the past, the call for focused, systematic, and wholehearted service remains the same. Bahá’ís are encouraged to reach out to invite others to reflect and consult with them on actions that can be taken to contribute in small or larger ways to the betterment of the world.
Such actions will contribute to the release of the society-building power of the Faith in ever-greater measures, which is the aim of the current series of plans, of which the Nine Year Plan is foundational.
The full letter from the National Spiritual Assembly is shared below.
4 June 2026
To the lovers of Bahá'u'lláh in Aotearoa
Tēnā koutou katoa!
At Ridvan this year the second phase of the Nine Year Plan was entered. This is a critical time to gather our energies so the whole Plan can succeed.
The Universal House of Justice has drawn parallels between the Nine Year Plan we are in and the Ten Year Crusade of 1953-1963. Called for by Shoghi Effendi, the Ten Year Crusade was a time of unprecedented growth of the Faith. This included a staggering 131 new countries being opened to the Faith, 56 new National Assemblies being formed, and translation efforts trebling the number of languages the Writings were accessible in. These achievements paved the way for the establishment of the Universal House of Justice at the conclusion of that momentous plan.
The actions needed now for the spiritual and material wellbeing of humanity are not what was needed then. The Nine Year Plan has one clear goal: the release of the society building power of the Faith in ever greater measures. And while this requires different actions from us than in the Ten Year Crusade, the need for focused, systematic, heroic deeds are the same. The potential for significant growth in Aotearoa, as well as the rest of the world, is also the same.
To help us prepare for the second phase of the Nine Year Plan the Universal House of Justice wrote to the Baháʼís of the world on January 4, 2026. In that letter they invited “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.”
Looking to what has been learned and accomplished while making plans for the future has striking resonance with the whakataukī “Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua: ‘I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past’”.
This invitation gives all of us an opportunity to consider who around us we are taking action with, or perhaps who we would like to take action with, and to gather together. Small or large, formal or informal, planned or spontaneous, whenever people gather to reflect on learning and accomplishments and then turn to action it will aid the goal of the Nine Year Plan.
We are confident that the sense of shared vision arising from your reflections and actions will spur on the release of the society building power of the Faith in ever greater measures. There is room for all in doing so. Actions large and small are needed. And as you gather and arise to act, please share your insights, plans and learning with your Local Spiritual Assembly if you live in an area which has this Divine Institution, or if not, with your Regional Baháʼí Council.
The Universal House of Justice has assured you all of its prayers, and similarly, the National Spiritual Assembly keeps all your efforts in its prayers.
Arohanui,
National Spiritual Assembly
