Groundbreaking Ceremony Announced for Wellington New Zealand Temple
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has officially announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Wellington New Zealand Temple, scheduled for Saturday, August 2, 2025. Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency, will preside over this significant event.
Located on a 3.35-acre site near Okowai Road and Whitford Brown Avenue in Porirua, the Wellington Temple will feature a two-story structure spanning approximately 14,900 square feet, as well as an ancillary building designed for visitor services and patron housing.
The announcement of the temple was made by Church President Russell M. Nelson during the April 2022 General Conference. He emphasized the importance of temples, stating, “I plead with you to counter worldly ways by focusing on the eternal blessings of the temple.”
This temple will be the third in New Zealand, joining the historic Hamilton and Auckland temples. The Hamilton Temple was the first in the Southern Hemisphere, while the Auckland Temple is set to be dedicated on April 13, 2025.
The Church’s presence in New Zealand dates back to 1853, when its first converts were baptized. Over the years, missionary work thrived, particularly among the Māori population. The first congregation in New Zealand was organized in 1855, and today, nearly 120,000 Latter-day Saints gather in approximately 220 congregations across the country.
In addition to the Wellington announcement, the First Presidency recently revealed that the McKinney Texas Temple will be renamed the Fairview Texas Temple, expanding the number of temples in Texas to ten.
Temples, regarded as the most sacred places of worship within the Church, serve a vital purpose in facilitating sacred ceremonies, including marriages and proxy baptisms for deceased ancestors.
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