View-of-Porirua,-New-Zelaand.
Porirua, New Zealand. 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Earlier this week, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that the Wellington New Zealand Temple will be built in Porirua, situated 21 kilometres (13 miles) north of Wellington city.
The news has been received with gratitude and joy.
Anita Baker – Mayor of Porirua City:
“This is awesome news for our city. It is going to be a great place for worship. I’m happy for the Latter-day Saints and I’m excited for our faith communities.”
Dr Taku Parai – Ngati Toa Iwi leader:
“We are so grateful and elated to have heard the announcement that the Wellington, Temple will be built in Porirua. The site is a beautiful, raised piece of land with breath-taking views over the Porirua Harbour, taking in Mana Island and some of Raukawa Moana (sea). ‘Koutou Katoa Ra, Come to the Saviour,’ are the words from an old Māori hymn our people have sung for many decades. Our thoughts go out to our ancestors, our own pioneers who from humble beginnings heard, accepted and kept the faith. We, this generation, along with our communities and city will be blessed beyond measure.”
Reverend Dr Jenny Dawson:
"Having recently been privileged to visit the beautiful temple in Hamilton, I am delighted about this news for the Latter-day Saint people of our area and also for our whole community. The building will be a focus for worship, a sign of hope for all, and an asset to the diverse faith life of the greater Wellington area.”
Kim Smith – Latter-day Saint, Wellington:
“This will be a huge blessing to the people of Te Whanganui a Tara as well as all those who will give their time and efforts to come to the House of the Lord. I’m so excited.”
Mytthius Asa-Seumanu – Latter-day Saint, Porirua:
“I’m grateful to our loving Heavenly Father who enables all things to happen in His timing. I’m grateful for all those past and present who have prayed and worked hard for us to have a temple here. I’m grateful to have a reminder of what ‘Heaven on Earth’ is closer to home. I’m grateful for more opportunities to give service.”
Lance Pemberton – Latter-day Saint, Nelson:
“When I heard we were getting a temple in Porirua I was really excited. I ran over to my neighbours and told them the news. The memories of a 2-hour drive, 3-hour ferry then another 7-hour drive to go to the Hamilton New Zealand temple, will soon be a distant memory. Now we will have a symbol of our faith a lot closer and the temple will shine on many of our family and friends as a reminder that families can be forever.”
Ruby-Pilamo-and-her-family.
Ruby Pilamo and her family.2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Ruby Pilamo – Latter-day Saint, Porirua:
“I had to pull over once (my friend) texted me, with the news, and just balled my eyes (cried) in the car, on the side of a random street. We are so blessed.”