For the first time in more than 60 years, the public is invited to tour the newly remodeled Hamilton New Zealand Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The open house for the historic Hamilton temple will run from Friday, Aug. 26, to Saturday, Sept. 17, except for Sundays.
The Hamilton temple, the first in New Zealand, was originally dedicated on April 20, 1958. It closed in July 2018 for extensive renovation.
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The Hamilton temple rededication is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 16. In-person attendance at the rededication service is by invitation only.
The Hamilton New Zealand Temple
- The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was announced in 1955 and originally dedicated by President David O. McKay on April 20, 1958. It was the first Latter-day Saint temple to be built in the Southern Hemisphere and the second outside of the United States and Canada, following the Bern Switzerland Temple.
- The building underwent significant structural upgrades to meet national seismic standards. On the exterior, the historic painted concrete masonry remains unchanged. The blocks were manufactured on site by the original construction crew, most of whom were labor missionaries who donated their time, according to a news release.
- Inside the temple the layout has been reconfigured for better flow and efficiency. Some parts of the original design were restored, including the historic murals. There are also new design elements that reflect the work of the original builders of the temple, and local Māori traditions. The temple features oak millwork created by craftspeople in Hamilton and decorative painting derived from local Māori patterns.
Other Latter-day Saint temples in New Zealand
- The Auckland New Zealand Temple, announced at October 2018 general conference, is under construction. The groundbreaking was on June 13, 2020.
- President Russell M. Nelson announced plans for a temple in Wellington, New Zealand, at the April 2022 general conference.
- There are close to 117,000 Latter-day Saints attending almost 230 congregations in New Zealand, according to the church’s newsroom.