They Put Us Right to Work

Screen Shot of the Pacific Area Newroom

Our first two weeks have mostly been spent behind our desks in the Pacific Area office in Takapuna, a North Shore suburb of Auckland. As public affairs missionaries we have three focuses.

First, the news website and Facebook page used as a resource for media, opinion leaders, leaders of other faiths, our members -- basically anyone interested in the workings of the church in the Pacific Area.

(To View go to: mormonnewsroom.org.nz )

Next, helping the Area Presidency and local Church leaders foster valuable personal relationships with government leaders.

Third, assist in relationships with leaders of other faiths and other people who can have a positive or negative impact on the reputation of the Church.

Although we will work in all three, we are assigned to take the lead with the Newsroom and the Facebook page.

Richard Hunter, a Public Affairs professional and Church employee born in Australia, heads our group. We, along with another senior missionary couple, Barry and Susan Preator from Alpine, Utah, assist him with all the countries in the Pacific Area except Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Brother Hunter oversees the Public Affairs in those countries as well, but most of the work is carried out by an Assistant Public Affairs Director and two other senior missionary couples living in Australia.

Elder Champlin going after it!

We work on the third floor of the Church office building in Takapuna. (Actually it's the fourth floor, except in New Zealand the buildings have a ground floor and then are numbered.)