Dunedin Stake Centre Rededication Celebrates Unity in Christ

On Saturday, May 16, the Dunedin New Zealand Stake Centre for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was rededicated. A stake is like a Catholic diocese and is made up of several congregations known as wards. Area Seventy, Elder Huri Parata, said the dedicatory prayer. An Area Seventy is an ordained officer in the Church of Jesus Christ called to serve in a specific geographic area.

Elder Parata noted the newly refurbished stake centre was one of the first official Church buildings on the South Island.

“As the Church has evolved down here, it grew to the point that we created two branches [a branch is a smaller congregation than a ward], then the Dunedin 1st and 2nd Wards. It’s a significant symbol of the faith of saints gone, saints present, and saints to come.”

While the building is significant, Elder Parata recognized it’s the people – the members of the Church that make a difference.

“By being good citizens, good community contributors, making sure we love our neighbours and are welcoming – this is a great place to be able to welcome people and help them feel the love of our Heavenly Father and the Saviour.”

Dunedin 2nd Ward member, Annette Tullock, has been looking forward to the reopening of the building and understands what it’s like to feel that love.

“This building is like the temple to me. It offers peace from the world and place to come to be closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”

The stake centre had been closed for the past thirteen months for a seismic upgrade and extensive interior and exterior renovation. The result is a bright and spacious meetinghouse with technology and resources that will serve Church members and the community alike.

The day of dedication included an open house event for members of the community, civic leaders, and leaders of other faiths to come for a personal tour. Those who were able to attend included:

• The Hon. Rachel Brooking – Labour MP for Dunedin electorate
• The Hon. Ingrid Leary – Labour MP for Taieri electorate
• Councillor Marie Laufiso – Dunedin City Council
• Colin MacLeod – Chairperson for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations and Chair of the Dunedin Interfaith Council
• Hilda Hughson – Committee leader, lay worship leader and parish steward of Dunedin Methodist Parish

Chairperson for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations, Colin MacLeod, liked what he saw, and more importantly, what he felt.

“I love the joy of it! There’s a real sense of people being at home – being surrounded by people that have come home. I love the story of the commitment of the people who came and built [the stake centre]. Catholics share in the mission of bringing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Colin noted that in March 2027, the New Zealand National Interfaith Forum will meet at the Dunedin Stake Centre for the first time since 2014.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the best venue - this is one of the most beautiful parts of [Dunedin]. You have a place where it’s appropriate to gather for prayer. A place for food and break-out rooms. There’s a generosity of spirit by members of the Church on interfaith councils throughout New Zealand. They nearly always put their hands up to help.”

The re-opening of the Dunedin Stake Centre will empower such helping hands of all faiths for many years to come.