“Mormonism in Pictures” is a photo essay feature from MormonNewsroom.org depicting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members around the world.
This week a group of young adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Catholic Church from across the country came together to visit New Zealand Parliament.
In addition to meeting Prime Minister John Key, Opposition Leader David Cunnliffe and other Members of Parliament, the group helped a charity that assists homeless men, visited a Catholic cathedral, held a devotional meeting and enjoyed getting to know each other.
The young adult group was led by Elder Kevin W. Pearson, First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Sister Catherine Jones, Chair of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations.
Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand, addressed leaders and young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Catholic Church. Mr Key spoke about leadership, community service, and the role that people of faith can play in the public square.
Hon David Cunliffe, Leader of the Opposition in the New Zealand Parliament, addressed the young adult interfaith delegation. In addition to speaking about his childhood and education, he offered suggestions to the young people as to how they could succeed in life and make a positive difference in their communities.
New Zealand Parliament Speaker of the House, Rt Hon David Carter, explained his role to members of the interfaith young adult delegation and their leaders.
Four members of the young adult delegation -- Anna Hoskins, Tihei Mahi, Kaiawhi Wharemate and Alex Swain -- shared some of their experiences and insights regarding the role of faith in New Zealand society and the importance of protecting religious freedom.
Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of the New Zealand First Party, took questions from the young adults. Mr Peters told the group that the purpose of politics is to help people to become happy.
Left to Right: Tim Macindoe, Dr Cam Calder, Sue Moroney, Su'a William Sio, Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Liga, Carol Beaumont and Hon David Cunliffe -- visited with the interfaith young adult delegation. Members of Parliament who also met with the young people, not pictured in this photograph, included Jacinda Ardern, Ross Robertson and Rino Tirikatene.
In concluding remarks Elder Kevin W. Pearson thanked the Members of Parliament for hosting the group. He also expressed gratitude for their dedicated service to the people of New Zealand. Elder Pearson reminded the young adults that Members of Parliament are more than the news media sometimes presents them to be. He said that those who serve in public office have homes, families, challenges and desires to do good for others. Elder Pearson encouraged the young adults to decide what they would do, who they would become, and how they would make a positive difference in their homes and families, their communities, and the world.
Hon Tariana Turia, Co-Leader of the Māori Party, visited with a young member of the interfaith delegation.
Leaders from New Zealand Parliament and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supported the young adult interfaith group. Mr Su'a William Sio, Member for Māngere (second from right), hosted the delegation to Parliament. Also pictured: Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Liga, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs (second from left); Elder Kevin W. Pearson, First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (right); and Mr Anthony Wilson, President of the Auckland New Zealand Mt Roskill Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (left). Mr Sio and Mr Lotu-Liga spoke about the value of education, hard work and service to others in their remarks.
In her remarks to the delegation, Sue Moroney, Labour Party Chief Whip, spoke about ways individuals of faith can serve communities and the nation. She noted that her Catholic upbringing helped shape her values and decisions.
Mr Tim Macindoe, Member for Hamilton West, visited with Elder Kevin W. Pearson. The suburb of Temple View -- where the Latter-day Saints' Hamilton New Zealand Temple is located -- is a part of Mr Macindoe's constituency.
New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key enjoyed a lighter moment with young Latter-day Saint Hohepa Hemara as they took a "selfie" together.
The day before the visit to Parliament, the young Catholics and Mormons assembled 400 personal care kits for the Wellington Night Shelter.
The kits will be given to men seeking accommodation and support at the Wellington Night Shelter.
Councillor Paul Eagle, Wellington City Council; representatives of the Wellington Night Shelter; and members of the interfaith young adult delegation attended a hand-over ceremony where the 400 personal care kits were presented to the Wellington Night Shelter.
Photography: Michael Ramirez.