Palmerston North celebrates 50th anniversary
In 1974, responding to a call to action from the Universal House of Justice, nine dedicated individuals became the inaugural members of the Palmerston North Spiritual Assembly. To celebrate the fifty years of its existence, over 70 friends, well-wishers and invited guests came together over Labour weekend this year to celebrate this momentous milestone. As well as acknowledging the establishment of the Local Spiritual Assembly half a century ago, it was an opportunity to celebrate the growth of the Bahá'í community in Palmerston North since then and a beautiful reminder of the Local Assembly’s continued dedication to the spiritual and social wellbeing of the locality which includes not only the city itself, but surrounding rural areas, one town and some villages.
The celebration began with beautiful devotions, setting a joyful and uplifting tone for the afternoon. An honoured guest, the local Member of Parliament Tangi Utikere then shared some words, speaking with admiration and warmth about his longstanding connection to the Bahá'í community. Mr. Utikere fondly recalled his many interactions with the community over the years, from the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh to Naw-Rúz festivities and the Race Unity Speech Awards. Expressing a deep sense of respect and appreciation, he said he would love to support the Bahá'í community and Bahá'í events whenever possible, later warmly sharing his reflections and his experience on social media.
The celebration continued with a series of engaging presentations by community members. Mrs Pam Tawhai offered a moving account of the early days of the Faith in Palmerston North, highlighting the courage and dedication of those who laid the foundation for today’s thriving community. Following this, Bruce and Tessa Ma’auga provided insight into the community-building efforts championed by Bahá'ís worldwide and shared how Palmerston North’s achievements are part of a broader global vision of unity, service, and justice.
Another meaningful moment came when Dr. Veronica Tawhai, a nationwide Te Tiriti educator, spoke about how her Bahá'í upbringing had inspired her work promoting unity, understanding, and social justice throughout New Zealand. Dr. Tawhai’s reflections emphasised the significant impact of the Bahá'í teachings on her personal and professional life, reminding attendees of the Bahá'í Faith’s values of service, equity, and respect for all.
With hearts lifted and spirits inspired, the event concluded with a sense of deep gratitude for the Local Spiritual Assembly, whose support and guidance has been a cornerstone of Palmerston North’s Bahá'í community throughout the past fifty years.
Along with other congratulatory notes, a warm message of support and love from the National Spiritual Assembly was shared, displayed prominently for all to read. It is shared at the button below.
Photos of this beautiful day, captured by Cliff Corcoran, Rashid Laghai, and Gerry Lew, can be viewed in the photo gallery below, offering a glimpse of the joy and fellowship, shared by all in attendance. To enlarge and view as a slide show, click on one of the photos below.
