Temples in New Zealand you didn’t know existed
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New Zealand is often celebrated for its raw landscapes, Maori heritage, and laid-back lifestyle. But behind the postcard views lies an unexpectedly rich spiritual landscape. With around 30% of the population born overseas, the country has become home to a colourful array of religious traditions, visible through the many temples, gurdwaras, and synagogues that quietly dot its cities and countryside.
These sacred spaces reflect the vibrant cultural fusion that makes Aotearoa so unique. Whether or not you follow a particular religion, there's a quiet kind of magic in stepping into a temple: the scent of incense, the hush of reverence, the feeling of something ancient and alive. At New Hermits, we believe in the freedom to learn from every spiritual path, weaving together wisdom that resonates with our own truth. Every temple has a story to tell (and perhaps a message just for you).
If you're travelling through New Zealand, or simply curious about the spiritual heartbeat of this land, take a moment to explore. Below, we guide you through a list of temples in New Zealand, categorised by religion and location.
Hindu temples in New Zealand
Auckland
Bharatiya Mandir – The oldest and largest Hindu temple in NZ, located in Sandringham.
Thiru Subramaniyar Aalayam – A South Indian-style temple in Mangere.
Thirumurugan Temple – Dedicated to Lord Murugan, situated in Otahuhu.
Sri Ganesh Temple – Located in Papakura.
Radha-Krishna Temple – Found in Eden Terrace.
Ram Krishna Temple – Situated in Papatoetoe.
Sanatan Dharam Hanuman Mandir – Located in Beach Haven.
Mount Wellington Shirdi Saibaba Temple.
Wellington
Kurinchi Kumaran Temple – A South Indian-style temple in Newlands.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple – Located in Wainuiomata.
Wellington Indian Association Temple – A North Indian-style temple.
Other locations
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Situated in Christchurch.
Sri Balaji Temple – Located in Hamilton.
Buddhist temples in New Zealand
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple South Island, Riccarton, Christchurch. Illustration: Thaíz Lara, New Hermits.
Auckland
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple – The largest Buddhist temple in NZ, located in East Tāmaki.
Wat Lao Buddharam – A Laotian temple in Ōōtāhuhu.
Ratanadipa Buddhist Temple – A Burmese temple in New Lynn.
Saint Ann Buddhist Temple – Situated in Mount Wellington.
Karma Choeling Buddhist Monastery – A Tibetan monastery near Dairy Flat.
Quan Am Buddhist Monastery – A Vietnamese temple in Bombay District.
Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery – A Sri Lankan Theravāda monastery.
Other locations
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple South Island – Located in Riccarton, Christchurch.
Santipada Buddhist Monastery – Near Kerikeri, Northland.
Sikh Gurdwaras in New Zealand
New Zealand temple Sikh Society Gurudwara, Te Rapa, Hamilton. Illustration: Thaíz Lara, New Hermits.
Auckland
Gurdwara Sri Kalgidhar Sahib – The largest Sikh temple in NZ, located in Takanini.
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sikh Sangat – Situated in Ōōtāhuhu.
Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha – Located in Papatoetoe.
Nanaksar Sikh Temple – Found in Manurewa.
Shri Dashmesh Darbar – Situated in Papatoetoe.
Hamilton
New Zealand Sikh Society Gurudwara – Located in Te Rapa.
Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji.
Other locations
Gurudwara Singh Sabha – Situated in Christchurch.
Bay Of Plenty Gurudwara – Located in Te Puke.
Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – Situated in Tauranga.
Jewish synagogues in New Zealand
Jewish Congregation, Dunedin. Illustration: Thaíz Lara, New Hermits.
Auckland
Auckland Hebrew Congregation – A modern Orthodox congregation in Remuera.
Beth Shalom Progressive Synagogue.
Other locations
Temple Sinai – A Progressive Jewish congregation located in Wellington.
Canterbury Hebrew Congregation – Situated in Christchurch Central.
Jewish Congregation – A Progressive congregation located in Dunedin.
Chabad of Otago – An Orthodox congregation situated in Queenstown.
Latter-day Saints (Mormon) temples in New Zealand
Mormon New Zealand Temple, Hamilton. Illustration: Thaíz Lara, New Hermits.
New Zealand Temple – Dedicated in 1958 in Hamilton.
New Zealand Temple – Dedicated in April 2025 in Auckland.
Plan your visit
The country's spiritual landscape is as diverse as its terrain. From ancient rituals to chants and hymns, these temples in New Zealand offer quiet sanctuaries of tradition and community. Whether you're seeking spiritual insight or cultural exploration, you'll find that these lesser-known temples add surprising depth to your journey. Which temple will you visit first?
Curious to dive deeper into the heart of Aotearoa? Read our next article: Curious facts about Maori spirituality.
About the author: Thaíz Lara is the creator behind New Hermits, a New Zealand-based storyteller who believes in the power of story and soul-filled travel. After living in 5 countries and exploring 60, she has come to understand that the most meaningful journeys often begin within. Learn more about Lara.
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