On a picture-perfect morning, journalists from television, newspaper, radio outlets and other media professionals attended a special preview tour of the Auckland New Zealand Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
News media enter the Auckland New Zealand Temple
News media enter the Auckland New Zealand Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 24 February 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The Auckland temple’s media day was held on Monday, 24 February 2025, preceding the public open house, which begins later in the week.
A journalist visits the Auckland New Zealand Temple
A journalist visits the Auckland New Zealand Temple on 24 February 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.News media and social media influencers had the opportunity to walk through the temple and interview Church leaders and local members.
Elder Steven R. Bangerter is interviewed by social media influencers visiting the Auckland New Zealand Temple. 24 February, 2025.
Elder Steven R. Bangerter is interviewed by social media influencers visiting the Auckland New Zealand Temple. 24 February 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Media interviewed Church leaders before a walk-through of the temple, including General Authority Seventies of the Church of Jesus Christ, Elder Steven R. Bangerter, Elder K. Brett Nattress, Elder Peter F. Meurs, Elder Taniela B. Wakolo and Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi.
Nattresses and Wakolos
Left to right: Elder K. Brett Nattress, Sister Shawna Nattress, Sister Anita Wakolo, and Elder Taniela Wakolo. Auckland New Zealand Temple Media Day. 24 February 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Peter F. Meurs, Pacific Area President of the Church, told TVNZ Breakfast reporter Yvonne Tahana that all are welcome to the temple open house. He said that after a four-week public open house, the temple will be dedicated and open only to members of the Church in good standing. “So, this is a unique opportunity to come inside the temple,” Elder Meurs said.
Elder Peter F. Meurs and Yvonne Tahana.
Elder Peter F. Meurs and Yvonne Tahana, TVNZ. 24 February 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Auckland Communication Co-Director for the Church of Jesus Christ, Muriel Samuela, welcomed media guests to the temple and explained that the temple is “a house of the Lord” for Latter-day Saints.
Muriel Samuela.
Muriel Samuela, Auckland Communication Co-Director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, welcomes news media and other guests prior to a tour of the Auckland New Zealand Temple. 24 February 2025. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.In her remarks, Paula Midgley, an Area Organisation Adviser for the Church, said that the temple helps her feel God's love and peace and brings her closer to Jesus Christ, her husband and her family.
Paula Midgley.
Paula Midgley, Pacific Area Organisation Adviser in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks to news media and other guests prior to a tour of the Auckland New Zealand Temple. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Read and view the New Zealand Herald’s report on the temple opening here.
Read and view TVNZ’s report here.
Read and view RNZ’s report here.
View video and photos of the exterior and interior of the temple here.
Read an article by the Indian Weekender newspaper.
Watch a post by community leader and social media influencer Dave Letele of BBM:
Learn more about the open house, including dates, how to make a reservation and parking details here.
Images courtesy of Guinevere Hugo
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