The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has joined a wide range of faith communities across New Zealand in endorsing the fourth edition of the New Zealand Statement on Religious Diversity, reaffirming a shared commitment to religious freedom, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
The statement was publicly launched in Auckland on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, by Dr Melissa Derby, Race Relations Commissioner. The event brought together representatives from numerous faith traditions and interfaith organisations, alongside government officials and community leaders.
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In the foreword to the statement, the Rt Hon. Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, highlighted the important contribution faith communities make to society:
“Religion is a central part of the lives of many New Zealanders. Our country is home to a rich diversity of religions and faiths, across our largest cities and our smallest towns, and they all have a place here. These faiths build supportive communities and play an important role in strengthening social cohesion in New Zealand.”
The religious diversity statement affirms that every New Zealander has the right to determine for themselves whether they practise a religion or belief system and, if so, how they choose to worship and express those beliefs.
Dr Derby told attendees at Wednesday’s launch event that what emerged overwhelmingly from the broad range of communities she engaged with were the commonalities between different religious and faith groups.
She continued: “Everybody wants for others what they want for themselves – the right to practise their faith safely and free from discrimination. Everybody wants to live in a peaceful, cohesive country. Everybody wants to look after the country we have and the people we live alongside. During these consultations, I also noted the many common tenets of different faiths. The call to treat others well, the aspiration to be a good person, the shared values of love, service, unity, peace, and hope.”
As an endorser of the statement, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joins many other religious communities in supporting this shared commitment to freedom of religion, conscience, and belief.
Religious freedom is a long-held doctrine of the Church and is expressed in its Eleventh Article of Faith: “We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all people the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”
Latter-day Saints believe that all people are children of God and that discipleship of Jesus Christ includes loving, respecting, and serving others. Throughout New Zealand and around the world, Church members participate in interfaith councils and work alongside people of many faiths to strengthen communities, foster understanding, and advance causes of common good.
The Church’s support of the New Zealand Statement on Religious Diversity reflects its ongoing commitment to promoting religious freedom, encouraging respectful dialogue, and building bridges of friendship and cooperation among people of all faiths and beliefs. The full statement is available in the additional resources below.
Through its participation in this initiative, the Church stands with other faith communities in affirming the right of every person to follow their conscience and contribute positively to New Zealand’s diverse and inclusive society.