Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

News Stories

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Elder and Sister Christofferson Visit the Auckland New Zealand Temple

The beautiful city of Auckland was the final stop on a ministering assignment given to Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who had been to six cities in New Zealand and Australia. He invited the members to prepare for the dedication of the Auckland New Zealand Temple by becoming more holy and Christlike. He encouraged them to ask themselves, "What could I do that would make me a holier person, a better offering and gift of myself to present to the Lord on that day of the dedication?"
Photo:  Renee Ahuna Cabrinha

Auckland New Zealand Temple Steeple Frame Completed

Framing for the steeple of the Auckland New Zealand Temple has been completed. The lower framework assembly was installed about a year ago, and the upper assembly went up several months later. Scaffolding remained around the steeple until recently when additional steel was secured to the lower assembly where windows will be installed. Stone cladding is making its way up the pilasters on the north side of the temple.
Photo:  Sadey Lyn Speelmon

Meauring Up to the Auckland New Zealand Temple

The Auckland New Zealand Temple rises tall over South Auckland, a city that is home to the tallest freestanding structure in New Zealand and the second tallest in the Southern Hemisphere: Sky Tower. The observation and telecommunications tower was completed in 1997 and stands 1,076 feet (328 meters) tall. Cladding of the temple exterior has been stalled for a few months, but work progresses on the interior.
Photo:  Tainui Photo

Bringing More Good to South Auckland's Goodwood Heights

The rising sun casts light on the Auckland New Zealand Temple and its bordering hillsides. The impressive edifice stands on a ridge in the Goodwood Heights neighborhood, making it visible from many parts of South Auckland. Construction of the temple began two-and-a-half years ago, and it is currently in the exterior cladding phase. The building has been enclosed for interior work.
Photo:  Olivia Tonas

Stone Cladding of the Auckland New Zealand Temple Progressing

Stone cladding of the Auckland New Zealand Temple is progressing at the southeast corner of the building as seen from the Missionary Training Centre. The temple is the second to be constructed in New Zealand with the first being the Hamilton New Zealand Temple. That temple closed for renovation in 2018 after 60 years of service and will be rededicated this Sunday. A third temple has been announced for Wellington, the nation's capital city.
Photo:  Ra Seymour

Exterior of Auckland New Zealand Temple Taking Shape

A stake conference was held last weekend for the Auckland New Zealand Redoubt Stake, headquartered in the stake center next to the Auckland New Zealand Temple. Due to the continued construction, members attending the Sunday session at the stake center were dropped off or taken by shuttle from a nearby meetinghouse. The stake presidency was reorganized in a beautiful meeting.
Photo:  Cecilia Halamehi Haangana VakautakakalaTaulango

Spire Frame Installed on the Auckland New Zealand Temple

The spire frame for the Auckland New Zealand Temple has been installed on top of the frame for the steeple body, bringing the building to its full height. The multitiered spire will be clad in fluted stone—giving a waterfall-like appearance—and terminate in a golden finial. Most of the exterior has been sheathed, and some stone cladding has begun. Framing and utility rough-ins are underway on the interior.
Photo:  Cerian Chadderton

An Aerial Perspective on the Auckland New Zealand Temple

Construction of the Auckland New Zealand Temple is an impressive sight in the "City of Sails." It sits directly east of Manukau Harbour and the Auckland Airport. Auckland was once the capital of New Zealand from 1842–1865, but Wellington claimed the title due to the arduous journey for government officials coming from the south. A temple was announced for Wellington nearly three months ago in General Conference.
Photo:  Lino Sanft

Auckland New Zealand Temple Looms Like a Great Fortress

The Auckland New Zealand Temple towers above the Auckland Southern Motorway like a mighty fortress. The Church-owned complex is adjacent to St Johns Redoubt (1863)—a historic fort that was used to guard against the threat of attack during the Waikato War and to protect the supply line to the Waikato along the Great South Road. The historic reserve is one of few remaining military sites from the Waikato campaign of the New Zealand Wars and is a legally protected heritage site.
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Elder and Sister Soares Visit the Temples in New Zealand

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, have recently returned from a ministering visit to New Zealand. On Sunday, May 22, Elder and Sister Soares and their party visited the construction site of the Auckland New Zealand Temple, located next to the Missionary Training Centre. They saw the recently delivered cornerstone and the construction progress. The next day was a tour of the Matthew Cowley Pacific Church History Centre and a visit to the Hamilton New Zealand Temple, which closed for renovations in 2018 and will be rededicated on Sunday, October 16, by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Read the news release.
Photo:  Brett Stirling

Stone Cladding of the Auckland New Zealand Temple Begins

Work has begun on a stone course along the base of the Auckland New Zealand Temple. A decorative course of carved stone will sit on top of the base course, and the main body will be clad in stone panels placed in a traditional running bond pattern. The first windows and fluted metal panels have also been installed at the northeast corner of the building. The temple will be the second for the country of New Zealand with a third having recently been announced for the capital city of Wellington.
Photo:  Farrah A Otuafi

Steeple Frame Installed on the Auckland New Zealand Temple

The steeple frame has been installed on the west end of the Auckland New Zealand Temple. The tall columnar structure will support the multiple tiers and gold finial planned for the fountain-like steeple. Sheathing of the main body of the building has begun, and interior framing continues. The temple stands on a prominent hill between a stake center and a missionary training center.
Photo:  Farrah A Otuafi

Steeple Framing Begins for the Auckland New Zealand Temple

Construction of the Auckland New Zealand Temple is moving forward again, following a major lockdown for the Auckland region that began in mid-August and fully lifted in early December. The platform for the steeple pedestal has been installed, and the first signs of framing for the steeple are now visible. A raised section over the rear side of the building will accommodate the extra tall ceilings of the Celestial Room.
Photo:  Harai Sanelivi-Smith

Auckland New Zealand Temple Rises Above the Southern Motorway

Billowing clouds float above the Auckland New Zealand Temple as seen from across the Auckland Southern Motorway at the parking lot of a local restaurant. From this vantage point, onlookers will see the beautiful arched stained-glass windows running down the front facade of the temple. Heavy framing of the building will soon turn to light framing on the exterior and interior.
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Pacific Area Presidency Visits the Auckland New Zealand Temple

Elder Ian S. Ardern, Elder K. Brett Nattress, and Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita of the Pacific Area presidency visited the Auckland New Zealand Temple site this weekend. In conjunction with the visit, Elder Ardern released a message of hope and peace through Christ. He began, "When we read of a beacon upon the top of a mountain and an ensign on an hill (Isaiah 30:17), many will see the parallel with the Auckland New Zealand Temple." He later gives an update on the construction saying, "The steel structure is well underway, and the purpose-designed stone cladding is beginning to arrive on site where it will be stored before being fitted. Soon enough, the steel structure to the spire will reach heavenward as a reminder to all to look heavenward in times of trouble and peace."
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Heavy Framing Progressing for the Auckland New Zealand Temple

A Church news release published on Wednesday provides a brief update on the construction of the Auckland New Zealand Temple and the renovation of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple. Heavy framing continues for the temple in Auckland, which is anticipated to be completed in 2024. Renovation of the temple in Hamilton is in the final stages, and members are awaiting an announcement from the First Presidency on the dates for the public open house and rededication. The article mentions five other temples in the Pacific region for which construction is pending: the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple, the Port Vila Vanuatu Temple, the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple, the Tarawa Kiribati Temple, and the Neiafu Tonga Temple.
Photo:  Heber Gasu

Structural Framing Progressing for the Auckland New Zealand Temple

Steel framing is being erected for the Auckland New Zealand Temple and connected to the concrete shear walls that were previously installed. The temple sits on an incredible hillside location at the junction of two major highways, directly east of the Auckland Airport. The temple is flanked by a stake center and missionary training center and bordered by the St Johns Redoubt Historic Reserve. The breathtaking views from the temple site stretch across South Auckland toward Manukau Harbor.
Photo:  Joshua Flood

Auckland New Zealand Temple Elevator Shaft Completed

Construction of the Auckland New Zealand Temple is making headway. Scaffolding has been removed from the elevator shaft that sits near the center of the building, and structural steel framing is joining the concrete shear walls to frame the body of the building. Construction can be observed from the stake center that sits north of the temple.
Photo:  R Smith

Shear Walls Poured for the Auckland New Zealand Temple

Reinforced concrete shear walls have been poured and cured for the Auckland New Zealand Temple. The walls are designed to strengthen the temple's resistance to high winds and earthquakes. Its elevated location will also reduce the chance of flooding. New Zealand was recently placed under a tsunami warning when a major 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck about 600 miles northeast of the island two weeks ago. The warning was later downgraded to an advisory.
Photo:  Rob McKay

Foundation Work for the Auckland New Zealand Temple Underway

The reinforced concrete piers have been uncovered at the Auckland New Zealand Temple site and will soon support the foundation for the building. The piers were installed early this year during the preliminary construction phase and then covered with white sleeves for the groundbreaking ceremony. The site has been excavated on the rear side for the baptistry. Crews are currently setting the forms for the foundation.
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Watch the Auckland New Zealand Temple Groundbreaking Ceremony

The video broadcast for the Auckland New Zealand Temple groundbreaking ceremony is now available online. Ground was broken for the temple on Saturday, June 13, with a limited number of participants to comply with government guidelines. The temple is the second to constructed in the country. The first, the Hamilton New Zealand Temple, is currently undergoing a major renovation and is expected to reopen next year. It was the first temple built in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Groundbreaking Held for the Auckland New Zealand Temple

"This is an historic day as we dedicate the ground for the Auckland New Zealand Temple," said Elder Ian S. Arden, president of the Pacific Area, at this morning's groundbreaking ceremony. He added, "The temple will be a beautiful, bright light in the city of Auckland, inviting all to come unto Christ." All three members of the Area Presidency and their wives were in attendance along with leaders from civic, religious, and community organizations including Mayor Phil Goff. In his remarks, Mayor Goff celebrated the diversity of faiths and cultures in New Zealand stating, "[W]e are free to worship as we choose. Together, we must defeat prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry. We stand together against these things." Groundbreaking Co-Chair, Ngatai Smith, emphasized that the temple will be "a place of beauty, holiness, peace, and tranquility. Most importantly, it will be a place where people will come to hear God speaking to them, words of comfort and gentle guidance."
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Groundbreaking Broadcast for the Auckland New Zealand Temple

The Pacific Area Presidency has announced a delayed groundbreaking broadcast for the Auckland New Zealand Temple to be held on Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. NZST. The online video transmission will be a recording of the live services held one day earlier. Those who wish to participate can watch the video on the Pacific Area website or on the Pacific Area Facebook page where it will be pinned as a "watch party." The presidency stated: "We are blessed that even in the midst of global challenges, the work of salvation continue and the bright beacon of the temple shines forth as a symbol of hope for all to see."
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June Groundbreaking Announced for the Auckland New Zealand Temple

Elder Ian S. Ardern, president of the Pacific Area, will preside at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Auckland New Zealand Temple on Saturday, June 13, 2020. Attendance at the temple site is by invitation, with the general public invited to watch the proceedings live from local meetinghouses in New Zealand. The temple will stand on Redoubt Road in Manukau between the New Zealand Missionary Training Center and the stake center for the Auckland New Zealand Redoubt Stake. It is the second temple to be constructed in New Zealand.
Photo:  Lindsay Dil

Clearing the Auckland New Zealand Temple Site

Construction crews and equipment began to arrive at the Auckland New Zealand Temple site last month. A construction barrier was erected, trailers were set up, and heavy equipment was parked on site. In December, site clearing began, leaving the ground grassless in less than three weeks. Work is now set to begin on building a retaining wall and leveling the ground by removing several feet of soil. A formal groundbreaking ceremony will be held once site preparations are finished, allowing crews to take advantage of the summer weather for construction.
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Site Announced for the Auckland New Zealand Temple

During his nine-day ministering tour of the Pacific islands, President Russell M. Nelson spoke at a devotional held Tuesday night in Auckland's Spark Arena to a congregation of 12,000. He said: "Today I am pleased to announce that the new temple will be built in Auckland on Redoubt Road." The hillside site sits between an existing stake center and missionary training center. President Nelson added that the temple would be a "two-story building with a granite exterior. It's light and beauty will be highly visible."

Reactions to the Auckland New Zealand Temple Announcement

A few young adults members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share their joyful reactions to the announcement of a temple to be constructed in Auckland, New Zealand in this video presentation. The Auckland New Zealand Temple, the country's second, was announced in the 60th anniversary year of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple.