Syrian Knanaya Christian Migration to New Zealand
In 1997, the first Knanaya family to migrate to New Zealand was Mr. Sunny Jacob Moozhiparampil and his family, followed by Mr. Jiji Kurian Manimala and others. By December 2009, six Knanaya families in New Zealand formed the “Knanaya Jacobite Association New Zealand” on October 24, 2010, with Mr. Sunny Jacob Moozhiparampil as President and Mr. Sudeep Raju Aronnil as Secretary.
The association met annually to discuss community progress. In 2013, Mr. Soman Mathew Kalayithra was elected President, with Mr. Sujith Zachariah Konnackal as Secretary. A meeting in 2015 saw Mr. Sibi Kurien Perumkannaril become President and Mr. Jinu Thomas Vadakkel Puthenveedu as Secretary. A milestone occurred with the initiation of monthly Holy Qurbana services, the first on May 25, 2016, conducted by Rev. Dr. James Jacob Thodathil, who traveled monthly from Sydney for over a year.
During the first pastoral visit of Knanaya Samudaya Metropolitan H.E. Mor Severios Kuriakose, the Auckland Association was elevated to a congregation named Mother Mary on September 25, 2016, becoming the first Knanaya congregation in New Zealand.
Since then, the community has held regular Holy Week services and monthly Holy Qurbana (on alternating Sundays), led by Knanaya and Jacobite priests. On September 26, 2023, the congregation was declared a fully-fledged parish, now known as St. Mary's Knanaya Church, Auckland. Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Shibin Abraham Manimalethu, the parish holds weekly Holy Qurbana on Sundays and other spiritual services. The community consists of over 35 Knanaya families in Auckland, with more than 20 additional families in various parts of New Zealand.