National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is 50th Anniversary

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests,- Minister, Judges, Parliamentarians, Mayors, Councillors, Government and NGO officials, Tangata whenua, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and Sign.

I thank you for your invitation participate in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand.

It furnishes an opportunity to acknowledge the presence in New Zealand of one of the world's significant religions, the Baha'i Faith. It has grown markedly in the modern era to become truly widespread - surpassing, I am told, every religion but Christianity in its geographic reach.

With more than five million members, I am advised that Baha'i followers live in over 10,000 localities around the world and encompass more than 2,000 ethnic, racial and tribal groups.

The statistics themselves make for impressive reading but they also highlight the principle on which the Baha'i Faith was founded - the commitment towards upholding unity in diversity. This commitment which was based on the words of Bah'u'llh, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith who said: "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens."

Those words are increasingly relevant in the 21^st century, as cultures have greater opportunity to connect through a combination of increased immigration, global communications and modern transport.

These words also hold local relevance. Many here will have seen the recent coverage of New Zealand's rapidly changing cultural demographic. Our ethnic and minority communities are gaining a critical mass, and their influence on mainstream New Zealand culture is becoming much more apparent.

The Auckland area, in particular is emerging as a registration of multi-culturalism.

In such a climate, as New Zealand continues to develop into a multicultural country, it seems that a religious faith that is founded on the principle of unity in diversity can only prosper.

The Baha'i community in New Zealand has grown, I am advised from one individual in 1913, Margaret Beveridge Stevenson, to a thriving and vibrant community today.

The first Baha'i Assembly in New Zealand was formed on April 21st, 1926, with Margaret Stevenson as its Secretary. Margaret also became a member of the joint National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand when it was elected in 1934.

In celebrating tonight, Ms Stevenson's hard work and commitment must be acknowledged as an important contribution to the birth and early years of the Baha'i Faith in New Zealand.

The 50 year matter being celebrated tonight is the founding of the independent National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand in 1957. In the years since, the Baha'i Faith has developed in depth and breadth, as well gaining a presence in towns and rural areas right through New Zealand.

Since 2000, the Baha'i Faith has organised an annual Race Unity speech contest in schools throughout the country. This is an admirable and by all accounts effective way of sharing the message of diversity with our future leaders.

The Baha'is also produce a programme on Triangle TV, Baha'i on Air, which discusses the Baha'i Faith and its teachings. In addition to this, the Baha'is have published a number of thought pieces and discussion papers on religious prejudice and cultural diversity.

Religion has a history and a reputation for dividing people. Unfortunately, conflict between religious groups has become a scapegoat for much violence which is heard about today.

Too often when religious difference is combined with cultural intolerance and misunderstanding the result can be conflict.

These realities are not desirable, but they can be solved through a concerted attempt understand the beauty of difference and to promote unity of race and religion.

New Zealand, although relatively free from religious violence, does have in its history episodes of strained race relations. Thankfully, our country can be said to be well on our way to redressing past grievances. Baha'is over the last 50 years have been active supporters of this ongoing process.  

I would like to come towards an end by quoting part of a poem of poet Hone Tuwhare:

"Go river, go. To ocean seek your certain end. Rise again to cloud; to a mountain - to a mountain drinking from a tiny cup. Ah, river You are ocean: you are island."

The natural harmony of the different stages of the water cycle in this poem mirrors, I suggest, the efforts of the Baha'is to achieve harmony in humanity by encouraging culture and race to work together as one.

I commend the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand on the achievement of 50 years and wish it all the best for the future.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in Maori issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.