Free resources about the New Zealand Hamilton Mission, including:
- Mission address and phone number
- Mission map
- Video interviews with returned missionaries
- Missionary blogs
- Facebook groups
- LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
- List of past mission presidents
- Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
- Survey with RMs
*Other Mission Pages: New Zealand LDS Missions.
NZ Hamilton Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Hamilton Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
New Zealand Hamilton Mission
PO Box 9542
Hamilton 3240
New Zealand
Phone Number: 64-7-834-9020
Mission President: President Jeffrey D. Cummings
Mission President: President Jeffrey D. Cummings
New Zealand Hamilton Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the New Zealand Hamilton Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Hamilton Mission:
Videos with Hamilton RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Hamilton Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
Videos about New Zealand
Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about New Zealand. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about New Zealand, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.
NZ Hamilton Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the New Zealand Hamilton Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Hamilton Mission Groups
Here are New Zealand Hamilton Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Hamilton Mission.
- Hamilton Mission Friends & Family Group (679 members)
- New Zealand Hamilton Mission Pres. Rudd Group (54 members)
Hamilton Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the New Zealand Hamilton Mission!
Shirt designs include New Zealand Hamilton Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL. The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.
*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Hamilton missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Hamilton Mission gifts
Hamilton Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Hamilton Mission.
- 2016-2019, Jeffrey D. Cummings
- 2013-2016, Charles A. Rudd
New Zealand LDS Statistics (2016)
- Church Membership: 111,141
- Missions: 3
- Temples: 1
- Congregations: 222
- Family History Centers: 51
Helpful Articles about New Zealand
Hamilton Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from New Zealand Hamilton RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
*Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission.
When did you serve?
- 2016-2017 (Star)
- 2015-2017 (Timoteo)
- 2015-2016 (Kymber)
- 2014-2016 (Kristy)
- 2014-2016 (Brittney)
- 2013-2015 (Rachel)
- 2013-2015 (Maria)
- 2013-2015 (Meghan)
- 2013-2015 (Dan)
- 2015-2017 (Joshua)
What areas did you serve in?
- Hamilton-Dinsdale, Gisborne-Managapapa, Hamilton-Franklin. Temple Visitors’ Center (Star)
- Chartwell, Hamilton. Pukekohe, Auckland. Otumoetai, Tauranga. Bell Block/ Waitara, Taranaki. (Kymber)
- Pukekohe, Hamilton, Tauranga, Redoubt. (Kristy)
- New Plymouth. Hamilton. Rotorua. (Brittney)
- Pukekohe, Glenview, South Auckland/Manukau, New Plymouth. (Rachel)
- Visitors Center in Hamilton, Mountfort Manurewa, Taupo, and Morrinsville. (Maria)
- Stratford, Kawerau, Pukekohe, and Ngaruawahia. (Meghan)
- Rowendale, Welcome Bay, Hamilton, Rotorua, Pukekohe, Coromandel/Whitianga. (Dan)
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New Plymouth, Hamilton, Tauranga, Te Awamutu, Manurewa. (Joshua)
What were some favorite foods?
- The pacific Island foods like Lu, manioke, oti, ota, and kumara! (Star)
- Butter chicken, chop suey, boil up, hangi, kumara. (Kymber)
- Ice cream, chocolate, any form of dairy products, fish n chips, burger fuel, roast shop. Never disappointed with the food. It was all so delicious. (Kristy)
- Hagi..[umu in Samoa] (Timoteo)
- Burger fuel Whittakes chocolate. (Brittney)
- Cocoa Samoa! Chop Suey! Kumara!!! Milo, Tim Tams! (Rachel)
- Maori bread, Fijoa, Kumara, and the candy Mintes. (Maria)
- Hangi was a definite favorite. Love pavlova!! And tip top ice cream is still the best I’ve ever had! (Meghan)
- Roasted kumera is incredible. Cocoa Samoa is also another favorite. (Dan)
- Boil up, Fry bread, Coconut buns, Luau. (Joshua)
What was a funny experience?
- The islanders are absolutely amazing!! They can make the funniest experiences, but then turn right around and become spiritual again. I love them so much! (Star)
- Falling off my bike when my companion pranked me by setting my bike to the lowest gears. (Kymber)
- Being with my companion. (Brittney)
- One time my companion Sister Amituanai and I had planned to visit a less active family in our area, so we rode our bikes over to their house! Well, their house was up an incredibly long driveway and so we didn’t really know what to expect at the top. Sister Amituanai was extremely afraid of dogs, as a side, but very important note. So, were knocking on a door that we assumed was the front door (New Zealand houses have a billion doors to choose from) and I saw this large animal bowl. I didn’t really think anything of it until Sister Amituanai went walking around the house to find another door and I heard this booming bark. I looked at Sister Amituanai and her face had gone pale (for an islander) and she booked it. I, too, not knowing what to expect ran to hide behind the car parked in the driveway. Anyway, the owners came out and comforted me, but we had to search for Sister A., who had run to the neighbor’s house and hid in the bushes. (: (Rachel)
- There was a man named Hone that we would often go do service for. We would usually just weed his garden and it was really easy so we didn’t change from our dresses. One day when we went over he pointed to a small spot of land and asked us to weed it. As we started to pull at the weeds we found our hands couldn’t pull them out. We asked for a small shovel, and when it didn’t work we asked for a large one, but when the large shovel didn’t work Hone brought us an ax! By that time we had realized that buried under that small plot of land was a tree stump! It took us a while to dig it out, but eventually with dirty hand & dirty dresses we walked away victorious. (Maria)
- One service I did was helping a less active member catch the chickens she had running around. We were hightailing it after those chickens trying to trap them. (Meghan)
- Too many to mention. One that comes to mind happened at a Zone Conference. We were in charge of getting not only our zone, but a neighboring zone as well to the Stake Center. I misunderstood instructions from the Zone Leaders and then didn’t have anytime in the morning to shower or shave or make myself look as a missionary should. There I am, sitting in the chapel with stubble and bed head, and it just so happens that the Mission President’s wife gave a 20 minute training on proper hygiene and missionary attire. (Dan)
- A dog running after me while I was biking and jumping up and biting my shoulder. (Joshua)
What was a crazy experience?
- I never had a crazy dangerous experience, only those involving hit and runs (we weren’t inside the car), someone not looking at a round about, things like that. (Star)
- My companion had panic attacks randomly and she woke up one night screaming, “I heard a noise!” So I went to check what the noise was and our back door was wide open and the refrigerator was open and lights were turned on. SOMEONE WAS IN OUR FLAT! I came back in the room and she saw my scared face and she passed out. I called the zone leaders, the district leader, the elders in our ward, and the sister training leader but no one answered. I had just come to the conclusion that I was going to die when the phone rang- it was the sisters serving in the ward next to ours – the sister said, “I haven’t been able to sleep and I felt prompted to call you, is everything okay?” All I could do was cry to her and tell her how scared I was, she told me to call the zone leaders again. I called and they said they would be there ASAP. When they got to our flat they searched everywhere but couldn’t find anyone. I came out of the room to see if anything had been stolen and everything seemed to be in the same spot, but when I got to the fridge there were two cookies missing…
- The dogs are crazy! I got bit by a dog in my first transfer and that initiated me being terrified of dogs ever since. After that I would always carry a umbrella for defense if a dog came at me. (Kristy)
- Almost got eaten by a dog. (Brittney)
- I didn’t have too many dangerous experiences, but in my last area, we were left alone in the zone, due to transfer meeting, and so we were kind of nervous. It was also New Years Eve, so we knew that people would be partying. President Rudd gave us permission to stay up until midnight and at 12:01 we heard someone banging on our door. Luckily they went away, but we were terrified!! (Rachel)
- One night we got out of an appointment late & we knew we would have to run in order to make it home on time. As we started running two dogs came out of no where and started to chase us! We stopped dead in our tracks and at that point in time learned exactly how fast you can pray. We were petrified & terrified. As we prayed the dogs circled around us, they were baring their teeth and slowly getting closer. After what felt like forever the dogs randomly started smelling something on the street. We slowly backed away & made it home safely. I believe it was not only our prayers that saved us that night but also the prayers of loved ones at home who were praying for us. (Maria)
- I got bit by a dog one time. Not very hard, and it startled me more than anything. But stuff like that hardly ever happens, so there’s not a lot to worry about. New Zealand for the most part is a very safe place to serve. (Dan)
- Experiencing multiple earthquakes in the south of the north island! (Joshua)
What was a spiritual experience?
- The best feeling is when the light bulb comes on for someone. We had an investigator who wasn’t going to get baptized until he knew that Thomas S. Monson was a true prophet of God. (He already knew Joseph Smith was). We committed him to pray and to really listen afterwards. We had a lesson the next day and we all started crying when we sat down and he said to us, “I know Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God. I’m getting baptized.”(Star)
- To let the sprint to help you and the people the you teach (Timoteo)
- Towards the beginning of my mission in a district meeting we discussed the importance of helping our investigators gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. The zone leaders gave tips that they had found useful. I was with a brand new missionary and we were so excited to try their tips. We had an appointment with a lady we had met with for a few minutes before but this would be our first lesson. The lesson went so well and the spirit was so strong. After we left she told us that she read and read and her husband had to remind her that she needed to sleep so that she would put the book down. She prayed and gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon that night and has never doubted it since then. People in her family have tried to get her to change her mind about being a member of the church but her testimony has stayed strong. (Kymber)
- It is amazing at how in tune the Maori people are with the Spirit and how ready they are to hear the gospel. I was transferred into a new area and that first Sunday I was introducing myself to everyone! and I came across this Mom and daughter and the mom instantly said that her and her daughter are very interested in the church and would like to be baptized and they are still very active and are some of the strongest members I have met. (Kristy)
- The spirit led us to a lady’s husband who recently died. She was currently inactive, we figured out her deceased husband was companions with my uncle when he served his mission. We knew we were meant to meet and that her son was meant to get baptised. (Brittney)
- One of my converts Gwen had an amazing conversion. She came from the lowest of lows and changed her life so that she could live the gospel. Every time we taught Gwen I learned of my Heavenly Father’s love. (Rachel)
- My companion and I were contacting a referred less-active member. When we knocked on her door she let us in, but as we tried to get to know her she refused to connect with us. She was distant and eventually we felt it was time to share a thought and leave. I opened my scriptures to Romans 8:38-39. As I read it, the Spirit filled the room and the woman began to cry. I felt the Spirit guiding me as I told her how her Heavenly Father missed hearing from her and how He desperately wanted her to talk to Him that night. She was still crying as we left her with a challenge to pray. As we let ourselves out we saw her drop to her knees. It was beautiful to see a daughter feel the deep love that her Savior & her Father in Heaven has for her. (Maria)
- Also too many to mention. In one of my later areas, we were teaching a part member family. The Dad wasn’t a member, but the family loved to have missionaries over. Their big struggle was coming to church. No matter what we did or what we said, they just couldn’t seem to make the commitment to come to church on Sundays. Each time we planned a lesson, we would plan a bit of a rant to explain to them that they weren’t doing their part and that we would have to stop coming by if they didn’t start keeping commitments. We thought they were just being lazy. Funny enough, each time we would sit down with them in their home and try to smash the commitments into them, it just never seemed like the right thing to do. Finally, it got to a point where this man opened up to us and explained his real concerns and told us what was keeping him from coming to church. It turns out that it was nothing close to what we had suspected. As he explained his situation, I felt first of all guilty for judging him so harshly. But most of all I felt love and compassion and empathy for him, and it seemed like right there and then I wanted to do everything humanly possible to help him. It was one probably the first time in my entire mission where I truly felt Christ like love for someone. (Dan)
- Seeing a brother inactive for 10 years and being offended by church leaders come back stronger than ever and being called to the branch presidency. (Joshua)
What are some interesting facts about the Hamilton Mission?
- We have a Mission haka! (Kymber)
- We have the temple in our mission, so we were able to go as a mission every so often. (Kristy)
- I had mostly Islander companions. (Brittney)
- I got to experience lots of different cultures – Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Maori, and Pakeha. (Maria)
- Easy. IT’S THE BEST MISSION IN THE WORLD. (Dan)
- There were more sheep than people. (Joshua)
What was the weather like?
- Sooo beautiful!!! So much rain too! I loved it so much. Huge drops of calm rain to driving rain to sun to overcast all within 10 minutes! When it gets cold it pierces you, but you really only need a jacket. The sun is beautiful! And it can stay out all day. (Star)
- Sunny. Rainy. Cloudy. Rainy. Sunny. Rainy. Then we’d come back inside to get ready for personal study and it would start all over. (Kymber)
- Depends on the area, but it reminded me a lot of California. Winter was very cold, like, cold to the bone with wet winters. Never saw snow in Hamilton though. (Kristy)
- It rained a lot, like a lot! (Brittney)
- In the summer, it was brutally hot and in the winter it rained pretty much every day. It was hard at first, but you learn to love biking, walking, and sometimes running in extreme weather conditions! (Rachel)
- Just beautiful is the summer & lots (and lots) of rain in the winter. If you’re a Sister be sure to get yourself a nice & high pair of rain boots you can tract in. (Maria)
- It’s either warm and humid, or cold and rainy. If you don’t like the rain now, you’ll learn to love it by the end of your mission. (Dan)
- Humid. Cold winter, warm summer. (Joshua)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- Everyone talked about the Spirit like He was their best friend. It was so natural to them to do so! So when we started teaching people about Him, it was easy for him to understand! (Star)
- The place is nice and the people are so friendly. (Timoteo)
- Their humility and receptive hearts. They are so kind and generous. Even when they don’t have much themselves, they are always trying to help others. (Kymber)
- The people are amazing! They are always so willing to let you come into their homes and serve you in any way even if they aren’t interested. (Kristy)
- The people are the nicest friendliest people you will ever meet. (Brittney)
- Islanders are INCREDIBLY spiritual. I loved every second of being around them. (Rachel)
- I love them deeply. I fell in love with all the people of New Zealand and with the Land. I loved how every experience testified how good God is. I loved seeing how He watches over all of his children. (Maria)
- In terms of scenery, it’s absolutely one of a kind. You’ll never visit another place like New Zealand, because there just isn’t any other place like it in the world. The people are so nice and willing to give. Food, clothing, money. You name it, chances are someone will try to give it to you at least once on your mission. (Dan)
- They are so kind and welcoming for the most part. (Joshua)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Take bigger suitcases!! You’ll want to be warm when it’s cold, but you’ll want to be cool when it’s warm. I never wore gum boots, but some people have. Ankle boots over there are super cheap and durable if you don’t want to take a lot of shoes. (Star)
- Waterproof shoes! Stretchy skirts- New Zealand is pretty famous for helping you gain 20+ pounds. (Kymber)
- For sisters bring cardigans! I feel like you could never have enough and it’s perfect for New Zealand’s weather. You can have all 4 seasons in one day! Also, a good rain coat and good shoes that can handle the rain. (Kristy)
- Pack a waterproof jacket. (Brittney)
- GET. A. RAIN. COAT. Spend hundreds of dollars if you need to. Just get a high quality raincoat. Also, get cute, colored tights. You’ll love them in the winter!! (Rachel)
- Bring a nice winter coat and a rain coat that you can wear over your winter coat. I’d also recommend bringing a small hymn book – I found many people who loved to sing and/or be sung to. (Maria)
- Bring clothes you can mix and match with. You will get tired of the same outfits. And keep skirts loose and flowy. It helps to ride bikes in. (Meghan)
- BRING A STURDY RAIN COAT. (Dan)
- Being warm clothing for winter. Mix of long and short sleeve shirts. (Joshua)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- I learned the gospel in a deeper way, but also a very simple way. I know how the Spirit speaks to me, I’m still practicing 🙂 I learned the importance and difference between obedience and exact obedience. And I made so many friends. So many that they’re now my whanau (Family)! (Star)
- My family has become stronger and more unified. I have a stronger and surer testimony. I’m truly converted. I made great friends that I will have for eternity. The memories I made I will cherish forever. I have a second home. I have a stronger conviction of the love God has for each of us. I know how to study the scriptures and apply their teachings in my life. (Kymber)
- I have received so many countless blessings. Not only have I received so many friendships from my mission, but ones that last forever. My companions are my closest friends and the experiences I had are so precious to my heart. (Kristy)
- My testimony increased dramatically. I understood the importance of sacrament and I learnt how to use the atonement fully. My family was blessed in countless ways. (Brittney)
- I gained my most prized possession – a testimony of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, His church and the Book of Mormon. (Maria)
- Too many to count, really. I learned what it was like to think about someone other than yourself. I learned how important it is not to waste time. I learned how to love reading the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. I learned that real happiness can only come from serving and loving others. (Dan)
- Increased maturity. Financial lessons on how to manage money and an increased testimony of the gospel. (Joshua)
What are some skills you gained?
- Time management. Prioritizing. Charity. Doing things that I don’t want to do, but doing it anyways. And speaking with people- getting out of my comfort zone. (Star)
- Being able to have confidence declaring my beliefs. Helping to console those that are struggling. Being able to truly listen instead of thinking of a response while they talk. (Kymber)
- Basic skills of how to study properly for school, but also how to study the scriptures. I learned how to apply the basic principles of the gospel more in my life. (Kristy)
- Talking to anyone and everyone. How to give a good talk. How to teach with the spirit. How to effectively study. How to plan your week. How to role play. (Brittney)
- You learn people skills. 100%. You learn how to study, how to plan, how to set goals. It’s absolutely incredible!! (Rachel)
- I learned how to get ready with in five minutes, how to make noodles 100 different ways, how to smile in the rain & how to truly pray with the will of Jesus Christ. (Maria)
- Study skills come in large abundance. I also learned how to talk to people like I’d known them for a long time. While I was at first very timid and scared to talk to strangers I’d never met before, by the end of my mission it didn’t phase me one bit. (Dan)
- Talking to people and relating to them and their experiences. (Joshua)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- PREACH MY GOSPEL!!! (Star)
- Realized how important companionship unity is in this great work. Love your companion and serve them relentlessly. Pray for unity! (Kymber)
- That a mission is hard, but so worth it!! It prepares you for trials ahead and how to handle them the right way with the gospel’s help. (Kristy)
- How hard a mission is. No one emphasises the hard parts. (Brittney)
- I wish I would have known how to love people. How to serve people. Especially my companions. Learn to be humble! (Rachel)
- I believe my entire mission experience was guided by the Lord so I wouldn’t change anything in how it started, BUT if I could give anyone advice it would be to focus on embracing the people you are with and loving them as Christ loves them. (Maria)
- How fast your time as a missionary really does go. It’s over before you even realize it, so you can’t afford to waste even a single day. (Dan)
- How much I was going to be expected to eat. I would have prepared more. (Joshua)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Hamilton?
- Be exactly obedient. Obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. You are called to represent Jesus Christ. You are called to perform miracles. It will be hard, but be exactly obedient. You won’t regret it. (Star)
- Hamilton is the best mission, you will love the people and the food! (Timoteo)
- Love the people. Go out of your way to show Christlike love and they will readily receive your message. Listen with your heart! (Kymber)
- Forget yourself and go to work. Read the Book of Mormon every single day. (Brittney)
- Let the Lord change you every day. (Maria)
- Understand and remember that you’re doing the right thing. It’s hard and scary and overwhelming and sometimes you’ll feel like you’re in over your head, asking what you got yourself into. Just relax and take it one day at a time. Understanding and perspective will only come through time and experience. (Dan)
- If you love the people you serve, you will be successful. (Joshua)
What was a funny language mistake?