On Saturday, 2 August 2025, over 500 people gathered in Porirua’s Aotea suburb to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for the Wellington New Zealand Temple, a significant milestone for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Presiding over the event was Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, a member of the Church’s Pacific Area Presidency, who was joined by civic and interfaith leaders, iwi representatives, and community members. The temple will be built on a 3.35-acre site, making it the third Latter-day Saint temple in Aotearoa, following those in Hamilton and Auckland.
Elder Wakolo described the temple as a sacred place of peace and revelation, calling it “a house of the Lord – a holy place set apart from the rest of the world.” He highlighted the spiritual and practical significance of having a temple in the Wellington region, saying it would reduce travel costs for members and increase opportunities for service.
“For members of the Church, a temple is the most sacred place of worship on the earth,” Wakolo said. “It is also a place where you can feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, a place of peace and revelation.”
The ceremony included the symbolic turning of the soil, with participation from children, local leaders, and dignitaries including Porirua Mayor Anita Baker and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. Young Church member Waimarino Ruwhiu, age 10, also addressed the crowd, expressing excitement about the new temple: “The temple is God’s house and a special place where we can feel His love.”
In a private gathering after the ceremony, Mayor Baker praised the Church’s partnership and approach to the project. “It is a symbol of peace and devotion, and it will stand as a place of spiritual refuge for generations to come,” she said.
Beyond its religious purpose, the temple is expected to benefit the local economy by creating construction jobs and drawing visitors to the region. Once completed, the temple will host a public open house before its formal dedication. Unlike regular church chapels, which are open to all, Latter-day Saint temples are reserved for sacred ordinances considered deeply personal by Church members.
The Wellington New Zealand Temple reflects the Church’s deep roots in Aotearoa, which stretch back to the 1850s. Today, the Church has nearly 120,000 members across the country and continues to grow, with the Pacific region now home to 22 temples, including those in operation, under construction, or announced.
“Having temples on the earth is a witness of God’s love for us,” Elder Wakolo said. “Everything in the temple testifies that God is our Father, that Jesus Christ is His Son and the Savior of the world.”
