Sunday Afternoon

June 29, 2014

Auckland Pier and a Saturday Stroll

Greetings All,

It is Sunday afternoon and we have just finished the most intense and gratifying week since our arrival. There has been a “dearth of blogging in the land” primarily due to our intense involvement in a previously mentioned event, YSA to Parliament.  At this point, please go to following web address:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.nz/article/mormonism-in-pictures--mormon-and%C2%A0catholic-young-adults%C2%A0visit-new-zealand-parliament

The article is entitled “Mormonism in Pictures: Young Adults Discuss Faith, Family and Religious Freedom at New Zealand Parliament”.  In attendance were 25 LDS youth, 15 Catholic youth, Sister Catherine Jones of the Wellington Archdiocese, Area President Kevin Pearson, 2 senior couples and 5 public affairs directors.  It was a two day event, Tuesday and Wednesday. Carol and I together with the other senior couple and directors arrived Monday.  That day was spent purchasing $5,200 worth of items for the service project as well as renting four vans.

Rangitotto, an extinct volcano in the Auckland Bay

View of Auckland from the 850 foot high crater peak

Most arrived Tuesday morning which meant airport pick up of 25 youth coming from all over New Zealand. After a Pizza Hut lunch ($5 pizza is alive and well), we completed a service project where 400 hygiene kits were assembled for the Wellington Men’s Night Shelter (see last pictures in the article). 

That afternoon and at the invitation of our Catholic friends, we toured the Wellington Cathedral and had a presentation from Caritas, a Catholic humanitarian group and one of several around the world.  Very impressive.  During the presentation, the Archbishop of Wellington, His Excellency John Drew came in and spent some time with the group. (I asked him if he knew Mike Bunnell and Jim MacInnis, two famous Utah Catholic golfers and former England employees. No response but he said he would pray for them.  I guess he got my drift.)

Then an early evening Chinese buffet for 51.  Thereafter, off to attend a 7:00PM devotional where two youth speakers (one from each group, Catholic and LDS) as well as Sister Catherine Jones and Elder Kevin Pearson addressed the gathering.   On to mass housing at the local youth hostel.  By the way youth everywhere are the same.  After the devotional, late night run to McDonalds ($1 large Diet Coke during the World Cup) as well as junk food at the local Pak ‘n Save, the NZ food equivalent of Costco.

The next day was spent entirely at Parliament.  The article and pictures speak for themselves. During the morning session and in the Grand Hall, various members of Parliament (MPs) spoke to the group including the Speaker of the House.  We were then treated to a guided tour of the facilities which are steeped in British tradition. As noon arrived, we hosted lunch and were addressed by John Key, current NZ Prime Minister (the NZ equivalent of President) and David Cunliffe, his September 20^th opponent for re-election.  Please see the “selfie” with one of our kids and imagine President Obama doing the same.

 The day was concluded by viewing a one hour Parliamentary debate while seated in the upper gallery.  For those unfamiliar, this consists of world class jeering and shouting between the party in power, the Nationalist Party and their would be successors complete with everything but a food fight.  One MP even got tossed out, a rare event.  According to those in the know, it was especially intense since the election is about 80 days away.

We then brought all to the airport in winds described as “gale force”.  Wellington, the capital, sits at the south end of the north island.  The two islands are separated by the Cooke Strait.  Because of this location, it is known as “windy Wellington”, a name clearly deserved as we experienced.

We are settled and life is good.  It is winter here but temperatures are mild, thus far daytime in the high 50s, low 60s. It seems new senior couples are arriving every other week, assigned to various capacities including executive secretary to the Area President, assistant legal counsel, Infield Service Representative and a seminaries and institutes couple.  Quite a group and while only here now for a bit in excess of 4 months, we are fast becoming the “senior of the senior couples”.

We love and miss all.  4 down and 14 to go!!