Te Whare Akoranga provides a place for potential to bloom
This report is adapted from an email sent on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly to all Local Spiritual Assemblies and groups on 31 May.
An informative video has been produced about the Centre for Learning newly completed on the Faith’s Hyde Dunn property in Henderson, Auckland. The video provides a clear account of the benefits provided by Te Whare Akoranga and the high quality environment it offers for holding various kinds of activities.
[Report continues below the video]
The construction of this centre, “Te Whare Akoranga Bahá’í” (Bahá’í Centre for Learning), was a sweeping renovation of the former National Haziratu’l-Quds that stood on the site for some 35 years. The video was shown during the National Convention last weekend, which was the first gathering to be held on the premises.
The National Spiritual Assembly regards the establishment of Te Whare Akoranga as a significant demonstration of capacity by the Bahá’í community of Aotearoa, displaying the ability to make a collective effort for the progress of the Faith. Through this project, the community has developed a national educational facility that is certain to enhance our society-building endeavours.
The facility has been made possible by the generosity of the friends and the untiring, sacrificial persistence of the team of friends who planned and managed the construction project. A financial contribution that gave a special impetus to the project was that of the Hedi Moani Trust, and it is the National Assembly’s hope that Hedi would be happy that his vision of an educational facility is becoming a reality. The support of the Universal House of Justice, in the form of an interest-free loan of NZ$1.6 million has greatly encouraged the National Assembly, and the generosity with which the friends are arising to help repay this loan is warmly acknowledged.
Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to officially open the building as some City Council paperwork remains to be done to certify the building’s compliance, and a health and safety management plan is being finalised. (A special exception was made for National Convention.) Once everything is in good order, bookings will open for use of the premises, with priority being given to national and regional activities.
The National Assembly hopes that the glimpses to be seen in the video will give viewers a sense of the potential that will unfold from the initiatives that Te Whare Akoranga Bahá’í supports.
