Facts and Figures

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been in New Zealand since 1854.

The word saint means a regular member of the Church. Thus, the organisation is Christs church for members in the days preceding his second coming.

There are now over 91,000 members of the Church in New Zealand, part of a worldwide membership of over 11 million.

There are more than 140 chapels in New Zealand that are used to accommodate the growing number of congregations.

In 1958, the first temple in New Zealand was dedicated in Temple View, Hamilton. Temples focus on the eternal family. The family is fundamental to the Church's doctrine and practice.

The Church operates through a huge, unsalaried ministry. More than 200 bishops and branch presidents, and thousands of other leaders -men and women - serve congregations throughout the country.

Close to 400 missionaries from throughout the world serve in New Zealand, over a quarter of whom are from New Zealand and Australia. Approximately 100 New Zealand missionaries are also serving volunteer missions in other countries.

Two missions are established in New Zealand. Each mission supervises approximately 200 missionaries who are serving in most New Zealand towns. As well as sharing the gospel, they also give community service.