The following blog post was written by Richard Hunter, Pacific Area Director of Public Affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I first came to New Zealand in 1973 as a five-year-old, with my parents and four older siblings. We travelled from our home in Mackay, Queensland, to visit the Mormon temple in Hamilton.
My parents and older siblings had become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1964. I came along three years later and grew up in the faith.
We journeyed to New Zealand to attend the nearest Latter-day Saint temple, so we could participate in what Mormons call a “sealing” ordinance. This religious sacrament, performed in the faith’s temples, are where families are joined together for eternity.
Memories of my experiences in New Zealand are vague, but I do remember that it was a happy visit, with lots of green hills, ice cream, laughter and friendly locals.
14 years later I was given the opportunity to come back to New Zealand as a missionary. My experience was life-changing. I was assigned to serve in Taranaki, Tokomaru Bay, Rotorua, Papakura, Morrinsville, Whangaporoa and New Lynn. Two or three months in each place, on average.
I met some wonderful people. Mormon, Catholic, Anglican, some with no religious affiliation. I was impressed with the generosity of heart of the people. I lost count of the times a person or family would invite us into their homes for a chat, and often share with us a meal.
It was a watershed time in my life. I learned that even though the world was a big, sometimes challenging place — as I got to know people from all walks of life, there were some chords that resonated across ethnicities, backgrounds, religions and ages. Loneliness, sorrow, happiness. A yearning to be close to God, to family, to others around us. A deep desire to be good, and to do good.
Sharing with others my faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ, and how my faith helps me, was hard work — especially when many were not interested in talking with an Australian boy about religion. But when someone did stop and listen, and I listened to them, connections were made and bridges were built — heart to heart, soul to soul.
I completed my two-year mission and went home to Australia. The years rolled on, with education, marriage, career and family becoming the foci. Work opportunities took us to Hong Kong, the US and now New Zealand.
So my courtship with New Zealand goes on. Our children talk about a school program called “Growing Positive Kiwis.” I ask my wife, “Are our kids Kiwis?” We agree that they are. And we love it.
When we go to church in the Auckland suburb of Sunnynook, we sit in our pew nestled among friends who are Korean, Maori, South African, British and Samoan. And others. Such is the richness of New Zealand society generally, as well as the Kiwi Mormon community we call our own.
There are similarly rich Mormon congregations across the nation, from the top of the North Island, to the bottom of the South Island. Some Mormons are wealthy, some are poor. They come from a vast range of ethnic backgrounds. Some are teachers, some are politicians, some are surgeons, some are looking for work. Some come from families who have been here for generations; others, like us, are newly arrived.
As I worship with my home congregation, or visit other Mormon congregations, it is the unity that is striking, not the differences. Yes, the cultural and personality-driven differences are important and can be beautiful. But communities and relationships are enhanced and strengthened when built upon a foundation of unity. Unity around the things that matter.
Such unity, in my experience as a Mormon who calls New Zealand home, is motivated by the desire to worship God, follow Jesus Christ in word and deed, get a good education, work hard and well in our jobs, be good neighbours and good citizens, and raise strong, happy families.
Outside of our chapels, I have seen Kiwi Mormons get together to paint a Catholic church, pick up rubbish in a park, or do maintenance on a marae. I have watched as Mormons have attended monthly interfaith meetings with their Jewish, Hindu or Anglican friends. I have observed fellow Mormons coaching school rugby teams or cheering on netball teams. I have wept with fellow Mormons and others grieving the passing of a dear one.
For 170 years or so, Mormons have been part of the social and cultural landscape of this remarkable land. We’re part of the furniture. Has it always been easy? No. Have we always been understood or accepted? No. Could we do a better job, as Mormons, reaching out to our neighbours and fellow New Zealanders in a spirit of goodwill and respect? Absolutely.
But the growth is in the trying, and the inspiration comes while doing.
As a person who has lived and worked in Australia, Hong Kong, the US and now New Zealand, I would hope that I am essentially the same person wherever I live, which includes how I live my life as a Latter-day Saint. Having said that, I embrace the fact that experiences and people in four countries have contributed — and continue to contribute — to who I am and who I am becoming.
For now, in this season of my life, I am counting my blessings that I live in a peaceful, beautiful, friendly country, and that our family can be part of the rich fabric that is Aotearoa.