New Zealand Muslim Association
Auckland-based Islamic institution that provides mosques, worship facilities, education, and community services for Muslims in New Zealand.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The New Zealand Muslim Association (NZMA) is an Islamic institution established in 1950 to serve Muslims in New Zealand. It is described as the country's oldest Islamic institution and has played a formative role in the development of organized Muslim religious life in Auckland. Rather than operating as a commercial brand, NZMA functions as a community association responsible for religious facilities, congregational worship, Islamic education, social support, and related community activities. The association's early development was centered on Auckland. In 1959 it purchased a house in Ponsonby and converted the property into what is described as New Zealand's first Islamic centre. In 1960 NZMA invited Ahmed Said Musa Patel, from Gujarat, to serve as New Zealand's first imam. The original Ponsonby property was sold in 1967, followed by the purchase and later sale of another property in 1972. The association subsequently acquired the site at 17 Vermont Street, Ponsonby. In 1979 the house on that site was removed and construction began on what became New Zealand's first purpose-built mosque. The foundation of the Ponsonby Mosque was laid on 30 March 1979. The mosque was later extended in 1986 to add a women's prayer area, accommodation for the imam, kitchen facilities, a janazah washing room, and another prayer hall for Friday prayers. It was later given the Islamic name Al-Masjid Al-Jamie and is reported to have capacity for approximately 700 worshippers. NZMA's institutional work has also included Muslim burial provision. Its first chairman, Suilman Ismail Bhikoo, was instrumental in establishing a Muslim burial ground at Waikumete Cemetery in Glen Eden, West Auckland, in 1966. The association was also a founding constituent member of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, the national Muslim organization, in 1979. Over time, NZMA developed a network of branches and Islamic centres across Auckland. The branches associated with the organization include Al-Masjid Al-Jamie, formerly known as Ponsonby Mosque; West Auckland Mosque and Islamic Centre in Ranui; Avondale Islamic Centre; Birkenhead Islamic Centre; and Kelston Islamic Centre. These facilities support the five daily prayers, Friday congregational prayer, Ramadan night prayers, Quran and madrasah classes, adult religious education, youth activities, women's programs, and community events. Some sites also provide multipurpose rooms, event facilities, parking, and spaces for broader social and educational activities. The branch network reflects the geographic spread of Auckland's Muslim population. West Auckland Mosque in Ranui was built in June 1995 and provides prayer services, Quranic and adult classes, and youth and women's programming. Avondale Islamic Centre opened in 1998 and has served as both a mosque and a multipurpose community facility, although it temporarily closed during 2014–2015. Birkenhead Islamic Centre was formed in 2006 and began regular prayers in 2010 for Muslim communities on Auckland's North Shore. Kelston Masjid originated in 2003 through the Abu Huraira Trust and was transferred to NZMA in August 2018; an NZMA Kelston branch committee was subsequently established, with a new committee elected in February 2020. The association's leadership history includes figures from several parts of the Muslim world. Former presidents include Mazhar Krasniqi, who served in 1975 and again in 1987–1988, and Nazmi Mehmeti, who served in 1963. Hajji Avdo Musovich, originally from Montenegro, was the longest-serving executive committee member between 1956 and 1981. NZMA's contemporary role remains focused on maintaining Islamic worship spaces and delivering religious, educational, and community services through its Auckland branch network.
History
The New Zealand Muslim Association was formed in 1950 with the objective of serving Muslims throughout New Zealand. Its early institutional history is closely associated with Auckland, where the association established permanent facilities and helped create the infrastructure for Muslim communal life. In 1959 NZMA purchased a house in Ponsonby and converted it into an Islamic centre. The association appointed Ahmed Said Musa Patel from Gujarat as New Zealand's first imam in 1960. The Ponsonby property was sold in 1967, and the association acquired another property, which was later sold in 1972. It then obtained the site at 17 Vermont Street, Ponsonby. In 1979 the existing house on the site was removed and construction started on New Zealand's first purpose-built mosque. The foundation was laid on 30 March 1979. The facility, initially known as Ponsonby Mosque, was later renamed Al-Masjid Al-Jamie. An extension completed in 1986 added a women's prayer area, imam accommodation, kitchen facilities, a janazah washing room, and an additional prayer hall for Friday worship. The mosque is reported to accommodate approximately 700 people. Community infrastructure was an important part of the association's early work. In 1966, NZMA's first chairman, Suilman Ismail Bhikoo, was instrumental in establishing a Muslim burial ground at Waikumete Cemetery in Glen Eden, West Auckland. In 1979 the association became a founding constituent member of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, linking its local work with national Muslim organizational development. NZMA later expanded through a group of Auckland branches. West Auckland Mosque and Islamic Centre in Ranui was built in June 1995 and provides daily prayers, Friday prayer, Ramadan tarawih, Quran and madrasah classes, adult Quran education, and youth and women's programs. Avondale Islamic Centre first opened in 1998 and has served as a mosque and community facility, including facilities for teaching, events, and multipurpose use; it was temporarily closed during 2014–2015. Kelston Masjid originated in August 2003 under the Abu Huraira Trust after local residents began organizing prayers in a private home. A former mechanical workshop was acquired and converted for worship. The property was transferred to NZMA on 16 August 2018, after which an NZMA Kelston branch and interim committee were established. A new committee was elected in February 2020. Birkenhead Islamic Centre was formed on 4 June 2006 and opened for regular prayers in 2010, serving Muslim residents across Auckland's North Shore. The association's leadership has reflected the international origins of New Zealand's Muslim community. Former president Mazhar Krasniqi, born in Kosovo, served in 1975 and 1987–1988, while Nazmi Mehmeti, from North Macedonia, served in 1963. Hajji Avdo Musovich, originally from Montenegro, served on the executive committee from 1956 to 1981 and is identified as its longest-serving member during that period. Today, NZMA is associated with five Auckland facilities: Al-Masjid Al-Jamie, Ranui Mosque, Avondale Islamic Centre, Birkenhead Islamic Centre, and Kelston Islamic Centre. Their activities include the five daily prayers, Friday congregations, Ramadan services, religious instruction, community events, and programs for youth and women. The association therefore combines the functions of a mosque operator, Islamic educational provider, and community institution.
- 2020
New Kelston committee elected
[1]A new committee was elected for the NZMA Kelston branch in February.
- 2018
Kelston property transferred to NZMA
[1]The Abu Huraira Trust transferred the Kelston property to the New Zealand Muslim Association on 16 August.
- 2010
Birkenhead regular prayers began
[1]Birkenhead Islamic Centre began holding regular prayers.
- 2006
Birkenhead Islamic Centre formed
[1]Birkenhead Islamic Centre was formed on 4 June to serve Muslim communities on Auckland's North Shore.
- 2003
Kelston Masjid originated
[1]Kelston Masjid was established through the Abu Huraira Trust after local residents organized prayer services and acquired a property for conversion into a mosque.
- 1998
Avondale Islamic Centre opened
[1]Avondale Islamic Centre opened as a mosque and multipurpose community facility.
- 1995
West Auckland Mosque built
[1]West Auckland Mosque and Islamic Centre was built in Ranui to serve the growing Muslim community in western Auckland.
- 1986
Ponsonby Mosque expanded
[1]An extension added women's prayer space, imam accommodation, kitchen facilities, a janazah washing room, and another prayer hall.
- 1979
Purpose-built Ponsonby mosque begun
[1]The foundation of Ponsonby Mosque was laid on 30 March, beginning construction of New Zealand's first purpose-built mosque.
- 1979
Founding role in FIANZ
[1]NZMA became a founding constituent member of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.
Products and positioning
A longstanding New Zealand Muslim community institution focused on worship, Islamic education, community services, and the operation of mosque facilities, with particular historical importance in Auckland.
Mosque · 1979
Al-Masjid Al-Jamie
Originally known as Ponsonby Mosque, Al-Masjid Al-Jamie developed from NZMA's first Islamic centre in Ponsonby. The purpose-built mosque was begun in 1979 and expanded in 1986. Its facilities include prayer areas, a women's prayer section, imam accommodation, kitchen facilities, and a janazah washing room. The mosque is reported to have capacity for approximately 700 worshippers.
Mosque and community centre · 1995
West Auckland Mosque and Islamic Centre
The Ranui-based West Auckland Mosque and Islamic Centre was built in 1995. It provides the five daily prayers, Friday congregational prayer, Ramadan tarawih, daily madrasah classes, adult Quran classes, and programs for youth and women. The facility is described as serving the Muslim population of western Auckland and accommodating up to approximately 400 people.
Mosque and community centre · 1998
Avondale Islamic Centre
Avondale Islamic Centre opened in 1998 and functions primarily as a mosque for daily prayers and Ramadan night prayers for men and women. It also provides teaching, event-hosting facilities, and a multipurpose area with parking. The centre experienced a temporary closure during 2014–2015 before returning to its community role.
Mosque and community centre · 2006
Birkenhead Islamic Centre
Birkenhead Islamic Centre serves Muslim residents across Auckland's North Shore, including suburbs around Birkenhead, Takapuna, Devonport, Albany, and the wider North Shore area. The centre was formed in 2006 and began regular prayers in 2010, following sustained efforts by local worshippers.
Mosque and community centre · 2003
Kelston Islamic Centre
Kelston Islamic Centre originated as Kelston Masjid under the Abu Huraira Trust in 2003. A former mechanical workshop was converted into a place of worship after local residents initially organized prayers in a private home. The property transferred to NZMA in 2018, after which the association established a Kelston branch to continue daily prayers and Islamic programs.
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