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Story: Diverse religions

First New Zealand Bahá'i

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First New Zealand Bahá'i

Aucklander Margaret Stevenson is shown here, probably in the 1930s. She was the first New Zealand Bahá'i, and for 10 years from 1912, the only one. When the first New Zealand Bahá'i group formed in 1924, Stevenson was elected as its president. Her two sisters also joined the faith. Stevenson remained secretary of the Bahá'i Spiritual Assembly in New Zealand until her death in 1941.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, National Spritual Assembly of the Bahai's of New Zealand

Reference: 1/2-197555; F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Paul Morris, Diverse religions – Bahá'ís, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/32282/first-new-zealand-bahai (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Paul Morris, published 28 April 2011.