Arohanui: Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand

"Arohanui: Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand" by Shoghi Effendi is a collection of correspondence written in the early to mid-20th century. This compilation details Shoghi Effendi's thoughts and guidance to the Bahá'ís of New Zealand, expressing love, encouragement, and spiritual insights as they develop their community. The letters serve not only as encouragement for the small but dedicated group of Bahá'ís in New Zealand but also as a historical account of the Faith's establishment in the region. The opening portion of the book introduces readers to the significance of the letters and the overarching theme of "Arohanui," a Maori term meaning "big love" or "enfolding love." The initial letters, dated from 1923 onwards, reflect Shoghi Effendi's deep appreciation for the efforts of individual Bahá'í members and the group as a whole, emphasizing themes of perseverance, spiritual growth, and community building. Through warm and affectionate language, he expresses hopes for the expansion of the Faith, acknowledges the challenges faced, and inspires the recipients to act as beacons of light for others. The messages blend personal anecdotes with broader spiritual advice, setting a foundational understanding for the reader about the emerging Bahá'í community in New Zealand. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Shoghí Effendi (; Persian: شوقی افندی; 1 March 1897 – 4 November 1957) was an Ottoman-born Iranian religious figure and the Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith from 1921 to 1957. As the grandson and successor of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, he was responsible for creating a series of teaching plans that oversaw the expansion of the Baháʼí Faith to a number of new countries, and also translated many of the written works of crucial Baháʼí leaders. Upon his death in 1957, the Hands of the Cause, which included his Canadian wife Rúhíyyih Khánum, took on the role of overseeing the transfer of the religion's supreme legal authority to the Universal House of Justice, which has held elections every five years since 1963.