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Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Hamilton new zealand temple.

11th dedicated temple in operation

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Announcement: 

Groundbreaking and site dedication: , public open house: , dedication: , rededication: , site: , exterior finish: , architectural features: , ordinance rooms: , total floor area: , height: , elevation: , temple locale.

Situated atop a stately hill in the rural outskirts of Hamilton, the Hamilton New Zealand Temple overlooks the 86 acres it shares with the former Church College of New Zealand—a Church-operated school for students ages twelve to eighteen that permanently closed in December 2009 after 51 years of operation. Christus statue. --> At Christmastime, the grounds are filled with a dazzling spectacle of lights and displays.

Temple Facts

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was the first temple built in the Southern Hemisphere and second built in Polynesia, following the Laie Hawaii Temple (1919).

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was originally named the New Zealand Temple.

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple is a sister building to the Bern Switzerland Temple .

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple and adjoining Church College of New Zealand (permanently closed in December 2009) were both built entirely by volunteer missionary labor.

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was originally constructed with a single auditorium-style ordinance room equipped with motion-picture presentation of the endowment.

The original floor plan of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple featured 75 rooms on three levels. The basement housed the baptistry, offices, dressing rooms, dining rooms, kitchen, and laundry. There were 24 rooms on the main floor including the chapel, waiting rooms, entries, foyers, and general offices. The upper floor consisted of ten rooms including the single instruction room, the Celestial Room, and four sealing rooms.

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple features beautiful murals on the walls of its Celestial Room. (Only two other temples feature full Celestial Room murals: the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple and the Los Angeles California Temple . The corner pillars in the Logan Utah Temple Celestial Room portray a heavenly landscape, too.)

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was dedicated about five months before the London England Temple , marking the first time that two dedications were held in the same year.

The Church College of New Zealand was dedicated six days after the dedication of the adjoining Hamilton New Zealand Temple.

The first stake in New Zealand was created the month after the dedication of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple in the city of Auckland, about 80 miles north of Hamilton.

For a time, the Hamilton New Zealand Temple offered overnight endowment sessions from Friday through Saturday to accommodate the many members who came on the weekend.

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple closed in 1993 for two months to replace wall coverings and furnishings. In 1994, the temple closed again for 9 months for a more extensive renovation that included installation of air conditioning and removal of asbestos.

Temple History

Temple site.

In 1954, general authorities approved the construction of a temple for an undetermined location in the South Pacific. President David O. McKay assigned Wendell B. Mendenhall, president of the San Joaquin Stake in California, to investigate possible temple sites. While in New Zealand, President Mendenhall investigated available property in Auckland where the mission was headquartered. "Then one day I felt I should go to Hamilton to visit the college," he related. "While in the car on the way, the whole thing came to me in an instant. The temple should be there by the college. The Church facilities for construction were already there, and that was the center of the population of the mission. Then, in my mind, I could see the area even before I arrived, and I could envision the hill where the temple should stand. As soon as I arrived at the college and drove over the top of the hill, my whole vision was confirmed. In my heart I felt that the Lord had especially made this hill for his temple, everything, about it was so majestic and beautiful."

Two weeks later, President McKay arrived during a two-month tour of the Pacific including Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, American Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia. President Mendenhall was accompanied by three other brethren to greet the prophet, so no mention of the temple site could be made. The five of them drove to the Church college and farm lands on the outskirts of Hamilton. After stepping out of the car, President McKay called President Mendenhall to one side. "What do you think?" the prophet asked, referring to the distinguished hill. "What do you think, President McKay?" came the reply. He pronounced in an almost prophetic tone: "This is the place to build the temple."

Announcement

Upon President David O. McKay's return to Church headquarters from his two-month tour of the Pacific, he recommended that the temple be constructed near the Church college in Hamilton, New Zealand, where the setting was ideal for a spiritual and educational center. That recommendation was approved by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Thursday, February 17, 1955, after which the decision was made public.

Groundbreaking

President Ariel S. Ballif, president of the New Zealand Mission, presided at the groundbreaking services for the Hamilton New Zealand Temple at 2:00 p.m. on December 21, 1955. The event was held on the majestic 170-foot high hill where the temple would be constructed, providing a beautiful view of the Church college. The groundbreaking also served to commemorate the construction of two new buildings on campus: the David O. McKay Auditorium Building and the Matthew Cowley Memorial Administration Building. Over 600 people were in attendance, representing all of the districts in the mission (as no stakes had yet been organized). In his site dedicatory prayer, President Ballif called down the blessings of the Lord on those workers who would be involved in erecting the temple and college buildings and that the structures would be constructed quickly and used for the development of the lives of the people there. 1

Prior to the dedication of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple, some 112,500 visitors toured the temple during a three-week open house held March 28 through April 19, 1958.

Cultural Celebration

On April 18, 1955, President David O. McKay arrived in Hamilton where he, his wife, and accompanying authorities witnessed an animated performance in a large natural amphitheatre between the temple and the college. About eight thousand people witnessed the spectacle from the surrounding hillsides that featured a savage-looking individual in a beaded skirt and head ornament who threw a staff in front of the President McKay and a hatchet in front of Sister McKay. By picking up the items, they were assuring peace instead of war, which brought smiles to the fierce face. Elaborate performances by Maoris, Samoans, and Tongans followed. At the conclusion of the program, President McKay expressed his gratitude for the welcoming and interesting demonstrations. 2

Six dedicatory sessions were held for the Hamilton New Zealand Temple—two each day from April 20–22, 1958. President David O. McKay spoke at each session and gave the dedicatory prayer. He prayed: "We dedicate the grounds upon which the Temple stands, and by which it is surrounded; the walks, ornamental beds, the trees, plants, flowers, and shrubbery that grow in the soil; may they bloom and blossom and become exceedingly beautiful and fragrant, and may Thy spirit dwell in the midst thereof that this plot of ground may be a place of rest and peace for holy meditation and inspired thought."

Renovation (2018 – 2022)

On July 23, 2018, the Hamilton New Zealand Temple closed for an extensive renovation project that included seismic strengthening, upgrades to electrical and mechanical systems, improvements to the floor plan, and replacement of all finishes and furnishings. Accompanying facilities were also upgraded including the parking lot, patron and missionary housing, and visitors' center. 3

A three-week open house was held prior to the rededication of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple from August 26 through September 17, 2022. More than 55,000 guests toured the interior including media and dignitaries. Martin Gallagher, a former Member of Parliament and Deputy Mayor, shared his memories of the Latter-day Saints who built the temple in the 1950s: "Their families, in many cases, have come on to make huge contributions to our society at large. Genuinely, even though I am not a member of the Latter-day Saints faith community, I absolutely honor them." 4

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided over the rededication of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple in three sessions on Sunday, October 16, 2022. He said of the occasion, "This is a day to remember, a rare and sacred spiritual day to write about and tell our families and posterity, a day of new beginning and celebration." President Russell M. Nelson participated from Salt Lake City by broadcast. He said when a temple is dedicated, it strengthens the Saints, adds light to the world, and lessens the power of the adversary. 5

Temple Design

The historic painted concrete masonry on the exterior of the temple remained unchanged in the renovation. The blocks were manufactured on site by the original construction crew, most of whom were labor missionaries who donated their time.

Historically, an acid-etched glazing was present on the exterior. This historic glass type was restored during the renovation.

The existing steel and masonry fencing around the perimeter of the site was not changed during the renovation. The walkways and main entry plaza are finished concrete with concrete masonry pavers.

Most of the carpet in the building is a simple loop pattern woven in nylon in a soft green color. It is manufactured by Bentley Mills in California. The carpets in the celestial room and sealing room are a nylon-cut pile broadloom in a soft cream color, also woven by Bentley Mills. The wool area rugs in the lobby and bride’s room were designed by NWL Architects in Salt Lake City. The stone used in the flooring throughout the building is a light yellowish cream limestone called Butter Silk that was quarried in Palestine.

The historic murals in the baptistry and celestial room were restored during the renovation. The baptistry mural was painted by Paul Forster in 1957. Dale Jolley painted the celestial room mural in 1993.

The patterns were derived from local Maori patterns used in weavings, bone carvings, and wood carvings. The design was done by NWL Architects in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The lights in the temple are a combination of metal and opal glass or crystal done in a clean mid-century style. The fixtures were designed by NWL Architects in Salt Lake City and were supplied by Ciana Lighting of Heber City, Utah.

The millwork and casework is made of Victorian Oak with a slightly tinted stain. It was created and installed by Fernlea Cabinetry & Joinery in Hamilton.

The original font was restored during the renovation. The font and oxen were made in Switzerland using the same molds as the Swiss Temple. The railings are decorative bronze following the historic railing patterns found in the temple. The railings for the stairs leading to the font are bronze with beveled glass panels, while the railing into the font itself is stainless steel.

The pattern for the door hardware is a stylized silver fern designed by NWL Architects in Salt Lake City and supplied by Sopersmac of New Zealand.

Most of the walls in the building feature a vinyl covering that will be durable and easy to maintain. Most are simple textures in creamy and gold colors. The walls in the instruction rooms have a stylized fern-like pattern reflective of local Maori patterns. The wall coverings are all standard products from mills in the United States. The Celestial Room walls feature a historic mural that was not removed during the renovation.

• N. B. Lundwall, Temples of the Most High (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1941) 219–220.
• Jeanette McKay Morrell, Highlights in the Life of President David O. McKay (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1966) 195.
• "New Zealand Temple Closes for Renovation," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 15 Aug. 2018.
• Scott Taylor, "What they’re saying: 55,000 guests tour Hamilton New Zealand Temple during open house," Church News 23 Sept. 2022.
• "Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Rededicates Hamilton New Zealand Temple," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, 17 Oct. 2022.

Plan Your Visit

General information.

The museum is open to the public free of charge.

Monday: Closed

Tuesday - Saturday: 10am – 4pm

Sunday: 1:30pm – 5:30pm

465 Tuhikaramea Rd, Temple View, Hamilton 3218, New Zealand

The Matthew Cowley Pacific Church History Centre, with its library and museum, is located in the Wendell B. Mendenhall Building.  This building is in Temple View approximately 500 meters north-east of the Hamilton Temple Visitor’s Centre and Hamilton Temple.

A small parking lot is available in front of the Mendenhall Building with additional parking at nearby church buildings on Tuhikaramea Road and Fosters Road.

Parking Map

The policies listed below are the most relevant to our patrons.

General Rules of Conduct

General rules of conduct that we expect from all our visitors in order to maintain an environment conducive to study and research.

Reading Room Guidelines

If you will be using materials from our secure stacks collections, you will need to familiarize yourself with our Reading Room Guidelines before visiting the library.

Computer and Internet Use Policy

The library provides patrons access to public computers, all of which have an Internet connection. Patrons are welcome to use the computers for the purpose of doing research, but are expected to adhere to our Computer and Internet Use Policy .

Access Policy

Like many other archival institutions around the country, certain records in the Church History Library collections are not available to the public. For more information, see our Access Policy .

We recommend that groups with more than 10 members schedule a tour of the museum. Group tours can be scheduled by calling 07 834 9083 / 021 537 498 or emailing [email protected] . Tell us when you would like to visit, how many people will attend, and any special arrangements that are necessary. Please be aware that large groups will be divided into smaller numbers to facilitate a better museum experience.

Phone Number

07 834 9083

[email protected]

Mailing Address

Matthew Cowley Pacific Church History Centre

465 Tuhikaramea Rd, Temple View, Hamilton 3218

New Zealand

Hamilton New Zealand Temple

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Hamilton New Zealand Temple - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Church releases open house, rededication dates for Hamilton New Zealand Temple

By Trent Toone

Four years after closing for a major renovation, open house and rededication dates are scheduled for the Hamilton New Zealand Temple.

The announcement was made by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Monday in a  news release .

When is the Hamilton New Zealand Temple rededication?

• Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will preside at the rededication on Sunday, Oct. 16, with three sessions scheduled for 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.

When is the Hamilton New Zealand Temple open house?

• The open house will begin with media tours on Monday, Aug. 22, followed by private tours for invited guests Aug. 23-25.
• Public tours begin Friday, Aug. 26, and run through Saturday, Sept. 17, excluding Sundays Aug. 28, Sept. 4 and Sept. 11.

Will there be a youth devotional for the Hamilton New Zealand Temple?

• A youth devotional will be held the day before the rededication on Saturday, Oct. 15.

When was the Hamilton New Zealand Temple built?

• The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was announced in 1955 and originally dedicated by President David O. McKay on April 20, 1958.
• The temple was constructed by volunteers who gave their time as “labor missionaries” in order to complete church buildings in the Pacific. It was the church’s 11th operating temple.

• The Hamilton temple 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 Hamilton temple served Latter-day Saints throughout the Pacific for six decades before it closed in July 2018 for extensive renovations .

How many Latter-day Saint temples are in New Zealand?

New Zealand will have three temples in the coming years.

• 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 .

Hamilton New Zealand Temple

509 Tuhikaramea Road Temple View Hamilton 3218 New Zealand

Telephone: (64) 7-846-2750 Facsimile: (64) 7-846-2766 Patron Housing: (64) 7-846-2757 Distribution Services: (64) 7-846-0820

Announcement: 17 February 1955 Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 21 December 1955 by Ariel Ballif, Wendell B. Mendenhall, and George R. Biesinger Public Open House: 28 March–19 April 1958 Dedication: 20–22 April 1958 by David O. McKay Site: 86 acres (including college grounds). Exterior Finish: Reinforced concrete block manufactured at site; white painted structural steel. Ordinance Rooms: One ordinance room and five sealing. Total Floor Area: 44,212 square feet. Temple Locale: Situated atop a stately hill in the rural outskirts of Hamilton, the Hamilton New Zealand Temple overlooks the 86 acres it shares with the former Church College of New Zealand—a Church-operated school for students ages twelve to eighteen that permanently closed in December 2009 after 51 years of operation. At the base of the hill is a popular public visitors' center, surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens. Guides are available to answer questions and direct visitors to the numerous displays on site including a magnificent replica of the Christus statue. At Christmastime, the grounds are filled with a dazzling spectacle of lights and displays. Temple Facts: The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was the first temple built in the Southern Hemisphere and second built in Polynesia, following the Laie Hawaii Temple (1919). The Hamilton New Zealand Temple was originally named the New Zealand Temple. The Hamilton New Zealand Temple is a sister building to the Bern Switzerland Temple. The Hamilton New Zealand Temple and adjoining Church College of New Zealand (permanently closed in December 2009) were both built entirely by volunteer missionary labor. The Hamilton New Zealand Temple features beautiful murals on the walls of its Celestial Room. (Only two other temples feature full Celestial Room murals: the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple and the Los Angeles California Temple. The corner pillars in the Logan Utah Temple Celestial Room portray a heavenly landscape, too.) Prior to its dedication, some 112,500 visitors toured the Hamilton New Zealand Temple during its public open house. The Church College of New Zealand was dedicated six days after the dedication of the adjoining Hamilton New Zealand Temple. The first stake in New Zealand was created the month after the dedication of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple in the city of Auckland, about 80 miles north of Hamilton. For a time, the Hamilton New Zealand Temple offered overnight endowment sessions from Friday through Saturday to accommodate the many members who came on the weekend. The Hamilton New Zealand Temple closed in 1993 for two months to replace wall coverings and furnishings. In 1994, the temple closed again for 9 months for a more extensive renovation that included installation of air conditioning and removal of asbestos.

Compare interior, exterior photos of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple from the 1950s and today

See photos from construction, open house and dedication in the late ‘50s and the temple’s interior and exterior after renovation.

If a picture is truly worth a thousand words, then following is 31,000 “words” — or 31 interior and exterior photos — of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple from the late 1950s and today in 2022.

The photos, published on ChurchofJesusChrist.org , show the temple’s construction, open house and dedication events as well as interior images of the celestial room and baptistry prior to its 1958 dedication.

Other photos include exterior and interior images of the recently renovated temple in advance of its public open house — which begins Friday, Aug. 26, and runs through Saturday, Sept. 17, excluding Sundays — and its Oct. 16 rededication.

Dedicated on April 20, 1958, the temple is the 11th-oldest operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

For decades, it served as the house of Lord for New Zealand Saints and others throughout the South Pacific as they came to Hamilton to worship, learn of God’s plan of salvation, participate in temple ordinances and make sacred covenants with the Lord.

Construction of the New Zealand Temple — 1956 through 1958

With construction beginning in 1956, the concrete blocks were manufactured on site by the original construction crew, mostly comprised of labor missionaries who donated their time.

The newly renovated Hamilton New Zealand Temple — 2022

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple has been closed since July 2018 for a series of renovations, including seismic strengthening and upgrades to its mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems.

The temple is 4,204 square meters — a little more than 45,250 square feet — and stands 47.5 meters tall (nearly 156 feet) from the main entrance to the top of the spire.

For the temple’s exterior, the historic painted concrete masonry remains unchanged.

The celestial room of the New Zealand Temple — 1958

The celestial room of the renovated Hamilton New Zealand Temple — 2022

Inside, the renovated temple’s layout has been reconfigured for better flow and efficiency. Some of the original design elements were restored, including the historic murals. New design elements reflect the work of the temple’s original builders as well as local Māori traditions.

Other interior features include oak millwork from Hamilton craftspeople and decorative painting derived from local Māori patterns.

The baptistry of the New Zealand Temple — 1958

The baptistry of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple — 2022

Bride’s room of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple — 2022

Sealing rooms of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple — 2022

Instruction rooms of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple — 2022

Other areas of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple — 2022

Open house and dedication of the New Zealand Temple — 1958

The New Zealand Temple — as it was then known – was dedicated on April 20, 1958, by President David O. McKay. It was the Church’s 11th operating temple at the time.

The temple became the Church’s first in the Southern Hemisphere and third beyond the North American continent, following temples dedicated earlier in Hawaii and Switzerland.

General authorities accompanying President McKay on the trip to New Zealand were Elder Delbert L. Stapley and Elder Marion G. Romney of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, a newly sustained Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve.

Some 112,500 people toured the temple during its public open house.

Open house and rededication of the renovated Hamilton New Zealand Temple — 2022

The public open house for the temple, located at 509 Tuhikaramea Road, Temple View, Hamilton, New Zealand, begins Friday, Aug. 26, and runs through Saturday, Sept. 17, excluding Sundays; reservations can be made online at  hamiltontemple.nz .

The Hamilton New Zealand Temple will be rededicated Sunday, Oct. 16, by  Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf  of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Hamilton New Zealand Temple

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What Makes Temple View Special?

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Nestled in a green valley on the outskirts of Hamilton, New Zealand is the beautiful community of Temple View.  It is so named because of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ temple that has stood on a hill overlooking the community since 1958. 

Residents and visitors alike have many reasons to enjoy Temple View — from the temple itself, to the Christmas lights, to the people who live nearby.  Newsroom recently asked several local residents and others who love Temple View to share their feelings about the place’s rich heritage, life there today, and what lies ahead.

If you wish to add a comment, please send it to Sister Carol Wallace at [email protected] .  

• Hamilton Temple overlooking Temple View
• Hamilton, New Zealand Temple-6
• Hamilton, New Zealand Temple-1
• Elder and Sister Watson
• Tania Torea
• Charles A. Rudd and Annette Lancaster Rudd
• Vicki Lee Wihongi
• Derek and Leah Couch
• President John Kendall
• R. Kalei DeCaires
• Richard Hunter
• Debbie Carver is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, U. S.
• Glen Reid is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Tiropaana Rauna is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Noelene Jean Thomson is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintd
• Jim and Renae Arveseth are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Professor Fred E. Woods is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Kandice Murphy is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Duane and Marie Anderson Family. They are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Mel Whaanga is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder and Sister F. Michael Watson — Salt Lake City, United States

While serving in the Pacific Area Presidency, Temple View was a beacon with a special spirit permeating the entire North and South Islands and reaching throughout the Isles of the Sea.  It carries the faith of those who were the Pioneers in this special place and where inspiration was and is received and shared with everyone.  Sister Watson and I will always remember two Christmas Seasons during which we found ourselves at Temple View.  We loved it then and this sacred area will always remain the June Roses in the December of our lives.

Veeshane Patuwai — Auckland, New Zealand

For me Temple View is a consecrated place, not only because of the temple but also because Church College was such an integral part of the Church's journey here in Aotearoa. All of my brothers attended that school and it has had a profound impact on the aspirations they have for their temporal and spiritual lives. It is a beautiful piece of land that reflects the sacredness of the work that is carried out there and is always a welcome sanctuary for me as I take time out to ponder on the things that matter most in my life. Thank you for the privilege of being able to share.

Mel Whaanga  — Auckland, New Zealand

Our family has had a long association with Temple View.  In 1952 Uncle Sam Edwards and my wife’s Uncle Sam Beazley were two of the ‘original five’ labour missionaries. Aunty Jane Te Ngaio was camp cook and famous for her lemon meringue pie. Uncle Stone Whaanga was called to work on the Temple construction. In 1987 he sealed my wife and I in the Temple. In 1965 my parents Maui and Moana Whaanga were encouraged by the NZ Mission President, to attend BYU Hawaii. In 1970 our family returned home. A year later Principal Larry Oler asked Dad to teach Science at Church College. Dad taught there until he passed away in 1980. He was affectionately known as ‘Papa Lion’ by many students. My siblings and I attended Church College. We loved and respected the school and temple because family members helped build them. My Sister Moana and her husband Epi Lilino were dorm parents for many years. While milking cows at the church farm I remember seeing the temple lights through the early morning mist. It gave me a sense of peace and comfort. Temple View was a safe haven and wonderful place to live. We felt welcomed wherever we went. Everyone was known as either aunty or uncle. Unfortunately job opportunities meant relocating to other places. Even though we no longer live there, our family will always have fond memories of Temple View.

Marie Anderson — Auckland, New Zealand

My husband and I make the 90 minutes’ drive down to Temple View each month with our three children, and serve as ordinance workers in the Hamilton New Zealand Temple. We cherish the time traveling together and time spent inside the temple, while our children look forward to each trip, hoping that we can stay overnight as we sometimes do. As my husband and I take it in turns to be outside with our children, we have come to really enjoy the Visitors’ Centre and all the area has to offer. The lush green paddocks and quiet neighbourhood always make us feel as though we are further out of the nearest city than we really are. With the peacefulness of the surrounding grounds, our family's temple experience is filled with the Spirit, both inside and outside the temple.

Kandice Murphy — Temple View, New Zealand

The Temple and Temple View has always been an important part of my life. Our family settled in Hamilton when I was a child so we would grow up close to the Temple. I recall the wonder and excitement of the seeing the Temple and its beautiful grounds lit up with thousands of lights each Christmas. As I grew older I had the opportunity to participate in the live nativity and Christmas choir performances. I enjoyed attending Church College with my siblings. Many people still remember my grandparents, Jack and Rosa Murphy, who were music teachers at the College.  I now work in Temple View and have the privilege of feeling the spirit of the Temple every day. I know the Temple will continue to bless my life and I am looking forward to the changes proposed for the Temple View community.

Jill M. Palmer — Wellington, New Zealand

My memories of Temple View are very special.  A decision that I made in 1959 to go to CCNZ to work in the treasurer’s office was highly significant.  There I made lifelong friends among the faculty, staff, students and the wonderful labour missionaries who made this possible.  My testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ increased through the teachings and examples of fine leaders as well as leadership opportunities.  My sisters, Gay and Debbie, both attended CCNZ as students and we were sealed to our parents in the Temple.  Last week when in Temple View, I walked around the area at night and sensed the same indescribable peace that I had always felt there many years ago.  It is indeed a sacred and unique place.  What a wonderful gift the Church is now giving to us at this time with the further development of Temple View.  I look forward to this with appreciation and great anticipation.

Charles A. Rudd —Temple View, New Zealand In 1958 my father helped organize a contingent of former New Zealand missionaries to return for the dedication of the New Zealand Temple.  They chartered two full airplanes and occupied every available motel room within 50 kilometres of Temple View. He worked in conjunction with the mayor of Hamilton City and all involved enjoyed the special occasion.  My parents returned to Temple View in 1984 and lived for three years while my Dad presided as the Temple President. My wife’s parents lived in Temple View for 18 months in 1988-1989 while they served a mission in the New Zealand Temple.  My wife and I arrived in Temple View in June of this year and will live here for three years as I preside as the mission president over the New Zealand Hamilton Mission.  So what makes Temple View so special to me is that it has been home to me and family members. I love Temple View and I am grateful for its beauty and wonderful people.

Noelene Jean Thomson – Hamilton, New Zealand

I have had a long association with Temple View.  I first arrived late in 1955 as a young woman.  My parents and I were labour missionaries.  The Church College was half built at the time.  My effort was to operate the little grocery store and dry cleaning depot.  I assisted in taking visitors on tours of the temple before its dedication.  When the school and temple were opened in 1958 I was appointed to the staff of the Bureau of Information, now the Visitors’ Centre. In 1963 I began working in the library of the CCNZ.  I worked there for eleven years before moving to Hamilton Public Library.  Since my retirement I have been serving again in the Visitors’ Centre.  I am in sure agreement with the closure of CCNZ and that the area will continue to be a gathering place.     

Eileen Mueller – Wellington, New Zealand

Temple View is a peaceful, tranquil area, which helps people wind down from the hectic pace of modern life. The beautiful setting in Temple View, including the gardens and temple grounds, enable us to stop and contemplate important issues. Whenever I’m in Temple view I  take time to review my closest relationships, my attitude toward my fellow human beings, the meaning of my own life, and how I can help make the world a better place.  I live far from Temple View, and don’t get there that often, but when I do, I feel as if I’ve stepped back in time to an island of serenity that helps me to become a better person.

Tiopira Rauna – Gisborne, New Zealand

I am a Mormon. I first came to Temple View in 1952 at the age of 4 years, when my mother and father arrived as labour missionaries to build the Hamilton New Zealand Temple. Since then, Sister Rauna and I visit the temple regularly to do sacred ordinances for my ancestors, so that they can all receive the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and live with our Heavenly Father for time and all eternity.   

Debbie Carver – Salt Lake City, United States

Temple View is special to me because that’s where my love for the temple grew.  From my bedroom window I could look at the temple shining like a diamond in the night sky.  It was my North Star.  Decades later, we have built homes where we have lived in the shadows of another temple.  Some of my dearest memories and relationships have their roots in Temple View, New Zealand.

Vicki Lee Wihongi – Temple View, New Zealand

My father, Dave Hemi, was a labour missionary and helped build the Church College and the temple.  My father-in-law, Jono Wihongi, also worked on the college and temple project.  I love this area.  I grew up in Temple View and attended Church College.  My two eldest children also attended Church College and we are currently living back in Temple View.  Even with this local heritage, I am excited about the proposed changes to Temple View.   The new developments will improve the quality of the area, making it not only a great place to live, but a destination for friends and family to visit.  

John Kendall — Temple View, New Zealand

I have had the opportunity to grow up and live in the same ward in Temple View since 1968.  What makes Temple View so special to me is that there is no better place to raise your children and bring up a family.  I grew up under the watchful eye of the Labour Missionaries, my father and grandparents were part of the Labour Missionary movement.  With my parents, two sisters and younger brother, we lived in one of the last Labour Missionary batches up until I was eight-years-old.  As a child I thought the sacred grove, where Joseph Smith had his first vision, were the trees beneath the temple.  I enjoyed the many Labour Missionary activities held in the GRB, Foster Road Chapel and the College.  As a youngster, I could always feel a unified spirit of love at every activity, every service project, every church meeting.  One of my fondest memories growing up here in Temple View, is one of an old concrete mixer that everyone would borrow to lay footpaths and driveways around their homes.  Once started this mixer would send out a loud grinding noise that could be heard from one end of Temple View to the other.  Within minutes of starting the mixer, many would come with their wheel borrows, shovels and gumboots ready to help and be of service.  I came to learn that no one was ever asked to come, they just did.  Last week I had the opportunity to visit with families in the Boyack Place cul-de-sac and was pleasantly surprised to see many of the local children, from all over Temple View, playing basketball up and down the road forcing cars to slow to a snail’s pace or drive around the children playing.  Under the light of the temple there is no better place to raise your children in the gospel.  The future growth of Temple View looks even brighter.

Hoki and Owen  Purcell — Hamilton, New Zealand

Temple View is a uniquely special place.  Like Salt Lake City, Temple View was built upon the sacred principles of faith, obedience and sacrifice. The work to build Church College began in earnest in late 1951, early 52. The “boys” (that's all some of them were) were not only building the college but they also needed to build houses for the American supervisors, which later became faculty homes, and also the college principal, and the farm manager's home. They also built the farm workers’ flats and later the temple, temple president’s home, and the temple flats.  When the Labour Missionaries decided to build their own homes, the land was there for them to purchase. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony, a hymn, prayer, talk, cutting of the ribbon, hymn and closing prayer. How many subdivisions have been blessed this way?  Is Temple View special? It most certainly is. This was meant to happen — the people in Temple View have chosen to live there, in a blessed environment.  Labour Missionaries are builders and we need to continue to build, support and sustain Church leaders whenever called upon.  I believe Temple View is most special. The Lord ordained it to be so through the introduction of the Church Building Program.  Let us be a Zion people — of one heart and one mind. 

Derek Couch – Auckland, New Zealand

I have fond memories of my time at Church College and the lifelong friendships made.  Although the closure was tinged with some sadness, I am heartened and excited by the plans for Church College moving forward.  The plans nicely retain elements of our past and recognize and honour the many men and women who so selflessly and generously served as labour missionaries.  My wife, Leah, is already hinting that it may be a possible place to which we could retire!

R. Kalei DeCaires — Temple View, New Zealand

Temple View has been home for my family and me for over 27 years.  I had the privilege of immigrating to New Zealand from Hawaii on the 4 January 1986 after finishing my studies at Brigham Young University-Hawaii Campus.  I met my best friend and wife in Hawaii in the late 70’s, who is originally from New Zealand, in particular Temple View.  She was born right here in the “View.”  In fact, her parents, Cleo and Hana Smith, were Labour Missionaries who helped in the building of the Church College and Temple.   Living here has been a wonderful journey for our family and Temple View has been a safe haven for our boys as they grew up in a community where everyone looked after each other.  Over the years we have seen many saints come and go, as well as, countless changes around us.  As change remains constant, we are very excited about the newly proposed changes and know that they will serve the community well for generations to come.  We have been blessed as members of the Temple View community and feel as we move forward with obedience and trust in the Lord, our little Temple View will truly become a Zion city.

Moses Armstrong – Auckland, New Zealand

Since 1969 when I first attended Church College of New Zealand (CCNZ) as a shy 13 year old, Temple View has been a place that holds many happy memories for me. I attended CCNZ for six years as a boarding student, five years in Boyack and one in Oakes dorm, and the friendships I made during that time have remained close to me for over 40 years. We came from throughout New Zealand and some from overseas and by the time we left we were like blood brothers and sisters. During the 50 years that the college was open almost 15,000 alumni were blessed in some way to attend that great school and many have gone on to achieve amazing things in their lives. Three generations of my family including 10 brothers and sisters and all five of our children either attended CCNZ or helped build it, and as families from the north we helped with food and labour donations during the labour missionary years. The blue blazer with the beehive emblem and dark dress uniform pants or skirts for the girls always stood out whenever we represented the school or the Church. On the school rugby and sports fields some of the greatest games of sport have been played and I saw many of them over a 40 year period. I was sealed to my parents in 1963 and my wife and I were married in the temple in 1979 we have also been blessed to have children marry in the temple as well.  This now represents four generations in my family who have been sealed to their spouses in this temple, so each time I think of Temple View I think of my formative years of sport and education, my eternal friends and my forever extended family.   

Tania Torea — Porirua, New Zealand

Early one evening in December 2009, my father stood looking up at the temple.  He shared with me how in his mind's eye he could see his father and his brother driving a tractor on top of the hill to prepare the land for the building of the temple.  This was the first time, in many years, that my father had come to see the temple.  Something in that memory, and the sense of peace that can be felt in Temple View, changed him and he turned his heart to Jesus Christ.  In 2010 he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  At particularly difficult times, he would find refuge in going to the Visitors’ Centre.  Sometimes he would watch a movie there.  Sometimes he would sit in his car and look at the temple.  Just being in Temple View helped him make it through another day.  When he passed away in 2011, we took Dad on a road trip to his favourite places, on the way to his final resting place.  The first stop being the Labour Missionary hall and then a slow drive past the temple.  My Dad never had the opportunity to enter the temple in mortality, but he found great strength in being on temple grounds.  The Legacy Park, Church History and other developments, extend the opportunity for people to consider and build their own faith experiences. I look forward to enjoying these with my family.

Glen Reid — Auckland, New Zealand

I first visited Temple View New Zealand when I was about four years of age.  It was during the time the temple was being constructed and my father along with many of the men from the Korongata Ward travelled there to work as volunteers.  I also remember going to the temple in May 1958 with my parents and siblings where we were sealed as a family for time and all eternity.  I recall the happy feelings I had as a young boy that we were a forever family.  I returned to the temple prior to serving a mission and later in 1976 when my wife Debbie and I were married.  We have been richly blessed beyond measure and are forever grateful for the special place that Temple View is, and for the role that Temple View has played in our lives.  In my mind the plans to develop Temple View can only continue to bless individual lives and families further beyond measure. The area is truly magnificent.    

Professor Fred E. Woods — Provo, Utah, United States

Upon completing my mission to Adelaide Australia I reached Temple View, New Zealand in August 1979. I was immediately captured by the spirit of this sacred place. What remains a vivid memory for me is how the local Polynesian sisters took such good care of eleven, young full-time elders who were on their way home from serving the Lord for two years. As we approached this sacred New Zealand temple, we were treated as if we were kings by these humble, temple workers who shared their Christ-like love with us. It made an indelible impression on me which has now lasted for over three decades. 

Renae Arveseth –Auckland, New Zealand

I love Temple View.  I love its beauty, its peace, reverence and warmth.   Even though I live in Auckland, I feel at home when we are in Temple View.  We have made some wonderful friends in the short time we have lived in New Zealand that will be long-term friends.  The Temple is inspiring as we first see it driving along Tuhikaramea and view it from the bottom of the hill where it seems to tower over the land below and then again when we stand near the door looking over the beautiful countryside.  I look forward to the new additions that will be made to Temple View and the effect it will have on families, both those who live in Temple View and those who will visit.  Legacy Park, the Church History Centre and the new stake centre can only bring additional blessings to this beautiful spot on earth.     

Richard Hunter — Auckland, New Zealand

Temple View, New Zealand is a special place for me and my family.  I first visited Temple View when I was five-years-old.  Our family travelled there from Mackay, Australia to be sealed (or united) as a family in the Latter-day Saint temple there.  Since participating in that religious ceremony all those years ago, I have had the privilege of returning to Temple View many times.  I love visiting the temple.  I also love the people of Temple View, who have always treated me with kindness and respect.  Temple View is built upon principles of faith, obedience, service and sacrifice.  It is a place where individuals, families and whole communities have built and continue to build faith in Jesus Christ.  The new stake centre, recreational facility, Church History Centre, Legacy Park and other developments that are in planning will not only bless the lives of residents, they will also make our family’s future visits to Temple View even more enriching. 

Additional Resources

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Hamilton New Zealand Temple

Please contact the temple for information.

The presentation of the endowment is available in many languages in every temple. Please select the desired language when scheduling an appointment online or ask at the recommend desk.

Some accommodations are available, including headsets for patrons with hearing impairment. Please contact the temple for more information or if you have special circumstances or needs.

Temple housing is available.

Arrival center is available with an area to change clothes.

Distribution center is on site or nearby to purchase temple garments and clothing.

No visitors' center is on site.

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• Monday, August 19, 2024 - Monday, September 2, 2024
• Saturday, October 12, 2024
• Tuesday, December 24, 2024 - Saturday, December 28, 2024
• Tuesday, December 31, 2024 - Thursday, January 2, 2025

Additional Information

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· Appointments for proxy ordinances are encouraged. Patrons without appointments are also welcome, but may be asked to wait for an opportunity to participate. Click the Appointments button to schedule or modify a proxy appointment.

· Patrons are encouraged to bring their own temple clothing.

· Ordinances for family names should be done in proper sequence—baptism, confirmation, Melchizedek Priesthood ordination (males), initiatory, endowment, and then sealing. Please allow sufficient time to perform all the ordinances you wish to complete during your visit. For additional help and information, please call the temple.

· Please contact the temple for more information or if you have special circumstances or needs.

See Christmas Lights at These Temple Visitors’ Centers in 2023

Temple square in salt lake city, mesa arizona temple, temple hill in oakland, washington d.c. temple and the hamilton new zealand temple have light displays.

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This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com . It is not for use by other media .

By Christine Rappleye , Church News

From New Zealand to Washington, D.C., several temples and visitors’ centers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a tradition of Christmas lights to celebrate the birth of the Savior.

Here’s an alphabetical list of the Church’s temple visitors’ centers that are hosting events this holiday season.

Hamilton New Zealand Temple

The Temple View Christmas Lights on the grounds of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple are on Saturday, December 16, to Sunday, December 31, through 9 a.m. There will be performances December 16 to December 24. The temple is at 509 Tuhikaramea Road, Temple View, Hamilton.

See facebook.com/nztemplechristmaslights for information, including nearby available parking.

Joseph Smith Birthplace in Vermont

More than 200,000 Christmas lights are on the grounds and trees at the  Joseph Smith Birthplace , 357 LDS Lane, South Royalton, Vermont. The light display is on November 24 to January 1 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the visitors’ center will be open until 8 p.m.

Nativity displays, Christmas music and light refreshments are available at the South Royalton meetinghouse, 175 LDS Lane, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends through December 23.

christmas lights

Los angeles california temple.

The lights on the grounds of the Los Angeles California Temple and Visitors’ Center were turned on November 24 at dusk. They will be on through December 31 starting at dusk. The temple is at 10777 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California.

See facebook.com/LATempleVC for information on events and templetours.org/los-angeles-temple to schedule a virtual tour of the visitors’ center.

Manila Philippines Temple

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With umbrellas due to the rainy weather, many gathered for the 2023 Manila Philippines Temple Lighting Ceremony on November 23. Local Church leaders, friends from various faiths, and local and national officials were part of the gathering, shared The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — Philippines Facebook page.

The lights on the Manila Philippines Temple will be on Tuesday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., throughout the Christmas season. The temple is at 13 Temple Drive, Corner White Plains Ave., Greenmeadows Subdivision, Quezon City, 1110 Metro Manila, Philippines.

Mesa Arizona Temple

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The lights on the Mesa Arizona Temple grounds turned on November 24, and will be on 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through December 31. The nearby visitors’ center at 454 E. Main will have an international Nativity display. The temple is at 101 S. Lesueur, Mesa, Arizona.

See mesatemple.org for information.

Mexico City Mexico Temple

The nearly 250,000 lights on the grounds of the Mexico City Mexico Temple were turned on November 26 by a group of four youth at the invitation of Elder Sean Douglas , General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor in the Mexico Area Presidency.

Elder Douglas spoke at a Christmas devotional broadcast around the country prior to the lighting ceremony. 

“My humble prayer and invitation is that every one of us can leave here tonight completely committed to light the world. We do it for the Savior and for the Father. We do it one act at a time, one day at a time,” Elder Douglas said. “… Together we will make the darkness flee before the light of the Savior. Jesus Christ is the source of infinite light.”

The lights on the Mexico City Mexico Temple will be on evenings until early January. The temple is at Av. 510 90, Pueblo de San Juan de Aragón, Gustavo A. Madero, 07950 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico.

Temple Hill in Oakland, California

Temple-Christmas-Lights-2023

Days of Christmas 2023 began November 24, when the lights around the Oakland California Temple were turned on. The lights are on from dusk to 9 p.m. through December 31.

The Oakland California Temple is at 4770 Lincoln Ave., Oakland, California. See templehill.org/christmas for a schedule of the performances at the visitors’ center. Free guided tours of the lights are available, too.

Temple Square in Salt Lake City

The lights on Temple Square in Salt Lake City turned on November 24, and will remain on from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily through January 1, 2024. There isn’t a formal lighting ceremony.

There are also daily concerts, both in the evening and livestreamed midday concerts. See the daily concert series schedule . Also, international Nativities can be seen in the “Christmas Around the World” display in the FamilySearch Library and “Christmas With the Saints” in the Church History Museum. This year, Light the World Giving Machines in downtown Salt Lake City are at the City Creek Center.

The Temple Square and Salt Lake Temple renovation projects are ongoing, and the Beehive House, Lion House and Joseph Smith Memorial Building are closed for renovation.

Washington D.C. Temple

The Festival of Lights opened November 30 and will be on from 4:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening until January 1, 2024. The displays include more than 400,000 lights, Nativity creches displays and Christmas tree decorations. There will be free performances almost each evening at the visitors’ center. The Washington D.C. Temple is at 900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington Maryland.

See dctemple.org and dctemplevisitorscenter.org for information and list of events.

Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company.

Style Guide Note: When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide .

To download media files, please first review and agree to the Terms of Use . Download a photo or video by clicking or tapping on it. To download all photos or videos related to this article, select the links at the bottom of each section.