Hamilton New Zealand Temple

Hamilton New Zealand Temple
Hamilton New Zealand Temple
Number	11
Dedication	April 20, 1958, by David O. McKay
Site	86 acres (35 ha)
Floor area	45,251 sq ft (4,204.0 m2)
Height	157 ft (48 m)
	Official website • News & images
Church chronology
Additional information
Announced	February 17, 1955, by David O. McKay
Groundbreaking	December 21, 1955, by Ariel Ballif, Wendell B. Mendenhall, and George R. Biesinger
Open house	March 28 – April 19, 1958; August 26-September 17, 2022
Rededicated	16 October 2022, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Designed by	Edward O. Anderson
Location	Hamilton, New Zealand
Geographic coordinates	37°49′34.62599″S 175°13′28.64280″E / 37.8262849972°S 175.2246230000°E
Exterior finish	concrete block and white-painted structural steel
Temple design	Modern contemporary, single spire
Baptistries	1
Ordinance rooms	2 (Movie, stationary)
Sealing rooms	8
Clothing rental	Yes
Visitors' center	Yes
	(edit)

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple (also known as the Hamilton Waikato Temple and formerly as the New Zealand Temple) is the 13th constructed and 11th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The intent to build the temple was announced on February 17, 1955, by church president David O. McKay during a meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. With its completion in 1958, it was the church's first temple in the Southern Hemisphere, the second built both in Polynesia and outside the United States and Canada, after the Laie Hawaii Temple. Located just outside Temple View in Hamilton, it was built with a modern single-spire design similar to the Bern Switzerland Temple. Until completion of the Auckland and Wellington temples, it remains the only operating temple in New Zealand.

The temple has modernist geometry and kōwhaiwhai patterning with design elements specific to Maori and other Polynesian cultures. This temple’s construction was overseen by George R. Beisinger, who supervised the church’s building program throughout the South Pacific, including the temple, the Church College of New Zealand (CCNZ), and other buildings in Temple View. A groundbreaking ceremony and site dedication were held on December 21, 1955, with the president of the New Zealand Mission, Ariel S. Ballif, conducting.

History edit

Celestial room
(prior to dedication)

The temple was announced by David O. McKay on February 17, 1955. The site for the temple was originally identified by Wendell B. Mendenhall, who had been given the assignment by McKay to do so.^[2] When McKay later visited New Zealand, he determined the site was suitable to build a temple. The temple is on 86 acres (350,000 m²), which also included CCNZ, formerly a secondary school for students aged twelve to eighteen. The temple is 44,212 square feet (4,107.4 m²), has two instruction rooms used for the endowment ceremony, three sealing rooms, and a baptistry. The spire rises to a height of 157 feet (48 m). The temple was built entirely by church labour missionaries who volunteered all of their time. Local members supported these workers with money, food, and lodging.

Overall, the site chosen for the temple represents a convergence of visionary insight, spiritual confirmation, and historical significance within the context of the church. It represents the church's presence in New Zealand and its commitment to sacred worship and community building.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on December 21, 1955, marking the commencement of construction. This ceremony was conducted by Ariel S. Ballif and attended by local church members and community leaders. Hugh B. Brown, then an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, placed the ceremonial cornerstone of the temple on December 22, 1956.^[3]

During the construction phase, the temple faced various challenges, including material shortages due to World War II. During construction, excessive rain caused flooding and slowed progress. Despite these challenges, the labor missionaries were able to complete the temple on time.^[4]^[5]

The temple was open for public tours for 23 days prior to the dedication. During this time about 112,500 people toured the temple. The New Zealand Temple was dedicated by David O. McKay on April 20, 1958.^[6] The temple serves Latter-day Saints in New Zealand and New Caledonia.^[7] According to local legends, the Māori King Tāwhiao accurately predicted the site of the temple before his death in 1894.^[8]^[9]

Throughout its history, the temple has served as a center of spiritual growth, playing a vital role in the lives of church members in the region.

On 19 January 2018, the church announced that in July 2018, the temple would close for renovations that were anticipated to be completed in 2021.^[6] In 2019, Russell M. Nelson announced the location for a new temple in Auckland—the second temple in the country.^[10] In April 2022, Nelson announced the location for a new temple in Wellington—the third temple in the country.^[11]