The AIFC had planned 5 visits but due to lockdown restrictions, the first event had to be cancelled.
With the theme “Uncovering the Secrets and stories of Tamaki Makaurau”, the places of worship chosen for the event were some of the most historic places of worship for the respective religions.
The uncertainties regarding lockdown levels made the planning of events difficult. Whereas the visits in the past concluded with a cuppa and an occasion for socialising, this part of the hospitality couldn’t be offered this year.
Bharatiya Mandir in Mt Albert (3 October)
The first sacred space we visited this year was to the Bharatiya Mandir, the Hindu Temple in Balmoral Road, Mt Albert. When the first Hindu temple was built in 1993 it was considered a “home away from home” for the Hindus in the wider area of Auckland.
It was not the first time that we visited this place of worship during the event “Exploring Sacred Spaces”. However, the decoration changes regularly – every year, during Diwali, the deities are adorned with new beautiful clothes.
Masjid in Ponsonby (4 October)
Social distancing, masks as well as contact tracing were compulsory during the visit to the oldest mosque in Auckland. Muslims have been in New Zealand for more than 100 years, and the first Islamic Centre was established in Ponsonby in 1959. The current building was purpose-built in 1979. After adding further extensions, it was completed in 1986.
St Patrick & St Joseph Catholic Cathedral in the CBD (7 October)
The evening before relaxed restrictions would come into force, social distancing was still mandatory.
The three doors to the Catholic Cathedral had to stay open for emergencies and at the same time the maximum number of people permitted in one room was not to be exceeded. Representatives of three faiths were watching the doors.
It was 180 years earlier, on 18 September 1840 that Apihai Te Kawau of Ngati Whatua gifted 3000 acres of land to Governor Hobson.
Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell (11 October)
Back in Level 1 and under relaxed conditions, we visited the Anglican Cathedral. The land on which the Anglican Cathedral was built was purchased in 1843. However, the foundation stone for the Cathedral was laid over 100 years later in 1957.
It was interesting to see that the Cathedral consisted of a neo-Gothic style chancel, a historic wooden church, a contemporary part from the 1990s and an annexed chapel from 2016.
The visit to the Cathedral was a cooperation between the Anglican and the Buddhist representatives on the Auckland Interfaith Council. Together, they invited all visitors to walk the labyrinth on the Cathedral grounds.
