Hello

It can be said that Christchurch's connection with Baba began in 1962 when Anthony Thorpe attended Meher Baba's highly significant East West Gathering in India, although this came as the culmination of a process that began in 1958 when Anthony received a most glowing letter written by his mother Hilda after her meeting with Baba in Myrtle Beach in 1958. Anthony was one of a very small number of New Zealanders who had the great fortune to have met Baba in person. It is completely fair and accurate to say that Anthony was the pivotal figure for the entire NZ Baba community from 1962 until his health deteriorated substantially in the mid 1990's, passing in 2001. As Baba has had it, Christchurch has been the primary but not sole centre of outward Baba activities ever since Anthony's formative encounter with God in human form. Visits by mandali (close disciple) Meheru Irani (twice), as well as Katie Irani, Don Stevens and Jal and Dolly Dastur during the 90's.

We are a small group at present where almost everyone has been connected with Baba for 40 or more years, but we would be most delighted to welcome a curious visitor or two! The group meets once a month.