In the 1850s the Church first came to New Zealand and experienced rapid growth in membership, especially among the Maori. By the end of the century membership had reached about 4000.

Since then, the Church has continued its steady growth, to the point where today it is ranked among New Zealand's major religious denominations. Membership is spread throughout the country, on both North and South Islands. The growth pattern in New Zealand has reflected a worldwide surge in membership, especially pronounced since the 1980s. Many factors appear to have contributed, including : 

Increased emphasis by the Church on missionary work, with greater numbers of missionaries. 
Much-improved social acceptance of the Church as knowledge of its community standards and family values has increased. 
Growing numbers of local church leaders and a great reduction in emigration of New Zealand members to the USA. 
The start of an intensive chapel building program in the 1950s much of it by donated voluntary service.

In 1950 there were almost 12,000 Latter-day Saints in New Zealand. Today there are over 91,000 members.

Among New Zealand Latter-day Saints today are more than 230 bishops and branch presidents, and thousands of other priesthood leaders and women serving scores of congregations throughout the country in a vast part-time, unpaid ministry. Many New Zealanders serve as missionaries here and in overseas countries such as Australia, the Philippines, Asia, Central America and the United States. Women and senior couples also serve as missionaries and in many leadership and teaching positions in the Church.

Over a hundred and thirty chapels have been erected to serve swelling congregations, and in 1958 the Church dedicated its first temple in the South Pacific in Hamilton, New Zealand. The temple - the most sacred structure in the faith - is visited by thousands of members each month.