Hamilton New Zealand Temple

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. As of May 2024, this is the only temple currently operating in New Zealand, with one in Auckland under construction, and another in Wellington in the planning phase.

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 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
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. When McKay later visited New Zealand, he determined the site was suitable to build a temple. The temple is on 86 acre, which also included CCNZ, formerly a secondary school for students aged twelve to eighteen. The temple is 44212 sqft, has two instruction rooms used for the endowment ceremony, three sealing rooms, and a baptistry with a baptismal font (used for baptisms for the dead). The spire rises to a height of 157 ft. 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.

A 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.

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 labour missionaries were able to complete the temple on time.

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

Design and architecture
The building has aspects of Māori culture integrated with traditional Latter-day Saint temple designs. Without ever visiting New Zealand, the temple’s architectural work, designed by Edward O. Anderson, reflects both the cultural heritage of New Zealand and the spiritual significance of the church.

Site
The temple sits on an 86.4-acre plot atop a green hill, and the landscaping features large lawns, gardens, and paved concrete masonry pavers. A steel and masonry fencing outlines the site perimeter. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere.

Exterior
The structure stands three stories tall, constructed with painted concrete and an acid-etched glazing. The exterior is characterized by its single spire and modern design. The blocks used to build the temple were manufactured on site by the labour missionaries. The design incorporates elements that are reflective of both the local culture and the broader church symbolism.

Interior
Many features of the interior design were designed by NWL architects. The interior features murals, glass and crystal chandeliers, and gold detailing designed to create a spiritually uplifting environment.

The temple features carpeting in simple loop patterns made of nylon, dyed in a soft green shade. This carpeting is supplied from a company in California. In specific areas, the carpets are nylon-cut pile broadloom in a soft cream hue. Wool area rugs are used in the lobby and bride’s room. The flooring throughout the building is composed of Butter Silk, a light yellowish cream limestone quarried in Palestine.

During the renovation, historic murals in the baptistry and celestial room were restored. The baptistry mural, painted by Paul Forster in 1957, and the celestial room mural by Dale Jolley in 1993, were both restored. These murals incorporate patterns inspired by local Māori designs.

The lighting fixtures in the temple feature a blend of metal, opal glass, or crystal, designed in a clean mid-century style. The millwork and casework in Victorian Oak with a slightly tinted stain were crafted and installed by a local company in Hamilton. Door hardware patterns feature a stylized silver fern.

Most walls are covered with durable vinyl, with simple textures in creamy and gold colors. In the instruction rooms, the walls feature a stylized fern-like pattern inspired by local Māori designs. These wall coverings are standard products from mills in the United States. The celestial room's walls retain a historic mural, untouched during the renovation.

The ceilings are predominantly painted gypsum board on steel framing, reflecting the historicity of the original temple. In sacred areas, decorative paint patterns or simple gold linework with plaster moldings are present around the perimeter. The temple includes two ordinance rooms, five sealing rooms, and one baptistry. Symbolic elements are integrated into the design, providing deeper meaning to the temple's function and aesthetics.

Symbols
Incorporated into the design are symbolic elements representing the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which provide church members with deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. These symbols include the central spire and baptismal font. In the temple, baptismal fonts rest on the back of 12 oxen. To members of the church, this symbolizes the twelve tribes of Israel. The baptismal font is an original feature of the temple. It was made in Switzerland using molds from the Swiss Temple. Surrounding the font are bronze railings with glass panels for the stairs that lead to the font.

Renovations
Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations to preserve its structural integrity, update facilities, and enhance its spiritual and aesthetic appeal. 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.

The temple's renovations focused on several key areas, including seismic strengthening and mechanical, plumbing, and electrical upgrades. A new roof was installed and an accessible entrance to the baptistry was constructed. The landscaping and parking lot were also renovated. Each of these changes were made to ensure the temple's compliance with contemporary building standards and to accommodate the evolving needs of the church and its members.

Although the exterior painted concrete masonry remained unchanged, one of the notable aspects of the renovation were the interior layout and furnishings. The reconfiguration provides better flow and efficiency. Many of the historic murals were restored. The new designs reflect the craftsmanship of the temple's original builders and the heritage of the local Māori culture. Other features include oak millwork from Hamilton, New Zealand craftspeople and decorative painting derived from local Māori patterns. These changes enhanced the design and functionality of the temple.

A public open house was held from August 26 to September 17, 2022 (excluding Sundays). During the four-week open house, more than 55,000 guests toured the renovated temple.

The renovated temple was rededicated on October 16, 2022 by Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Cultural and community impact

The temple and its surrounding grounds often serve as a gathering place for various community events, including the Temple View Christmas Lights. The temple grounds include many lights, accompanied by choirs singing Christmas hymns.

In response to the growing need for educational opportunities, the church established two schools in New Zealand during the 20th century. The Māori Agricultural College near Hastings was operational from 1913 until 1931 when it was destroyed by an earthquake. Following World War II, plans were made to build another school near Hamilton. Due to limited building materials and skilled labor, church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, offered assistance, providing materials, equipment, and experienced construction managers. New Zealand Latter-day Saints, approximately 12,000 at the time, were asked to contribute volunteer labor and supplies to support the project.

Construction of the Church College of New Zealand (CCNZ) began in 1950, coinciding with a visit from church president David O. McKay to various countries in the South Pacific. During his visit to the Hamilton construction site, McKay identified a hill adjacent to the college as the ideal location for a new temple to serve the growing Latter-day Saint population in the region. Subsequently, at a national conference, 4,000 church members expressed support for adding a temple to the ongoing construction project. McKay returned to New Zealand in 1958 to dedicate the temple.

In 2019, Russell M. Nelson announced the location for a new temple in Auckland—the second temple in the country. In April 2022, Nelson announced the location for a new temple in Wellington—the third temple in the country.

Presidents
Notable presidents of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple include Glen L. Rudd (1984–87), Douglas J. Martin (1992–95), and Sidney M. Going (2013–2016).

Since its dedication in 1958, the temple has been overseen by a series of temple presidents, each serving for a term of approximately three years. A temple president is responsible for the administration of temple operations and spiritual guidance for both temple patrons and staff.

The first temple president was Erick A. Rosenvall, who served from 1958 to 1961. As of 2023, Lindsay T. Dil is the current president.

Admittance
Prior to its dedication in 1958, the temple was open to the public during an open house, allowing individuals of all faiths to see the temple's architecture and learn about the practices and beliefs of the faith. Temples are a central place of worship and spiritual ceremonies for church members. Like all temples of the church, the temple is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.

On April 11, 2022, the church announced that a public open house would be held from August 26, 2022 to September 17, 2022 (excluding Sundays). The temple was rededicated on October 16, 2022 by Dieter F. Uchtdorf.