Hedi Moani was a visionary, scholar, and lover of mankind. He was a tireless promoter of justice and racial harmony, a vocal defender of the underprivileged and the downtrodden.
The youngest of eight brothers, Hedi spent the first eighteen years of his life living in Iran. After high school, he immigrated to South East Asia where he lived for a short time before moving to Australia, his home for the next eighteen years. It was there that he earned his degree in Architecture, from the University of Melbourne. During this period, he travelled widely in Australia and the Pacific. He lived for long periods in Darwin, Queensland, and Kiribati. Eighteen years later, a compulsory stopover of his flight from Europe to Australia brought him to Aotearoa. Totally unplanned, he made Aotearoa his cherished home for the last eighteen years of his life.
Ratana Paa, 1997.
Wherever he lived, Hedi became involved with the indigenous peoples, for whom he had a great affinity and deep affection. In Aotearoa he became involved with the Māori community and developed a special relationship with the people of Ratana Pā.
In 1997, New Zealand media gave extensive coverage to a series of racially motivated incidents aimed at non-Europeans. Deeply concerned, Hedi and others from the Baha’i community worked alongside the Race Relations Office to organise the first “Unity in Diversity Rally” in Aotearoa. The rally took place on Human Rights Day, 10 December 1997 in Aotea square, Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. The rally featured prominent speakers and multi-cultural entertainment and was featured on national television.
The success of the rally resulted in further discussions with the Race Relations Office about the possibility of establishing a Race Unity Day in Aotearoa – an idea that finally became a reality in 1999. The date chosen was 21 March – a date that was already on the United Nations calendar as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In October 2002, Race Unity Day was re-named Race Relations Day. It is now an annual event that receives increasing support from schools, local councils, businesses, ethnic communities, and a variety of other organisations. Sadly, in October 1998 Hedi was tragically killed, just months before the first event was held in Aotearoa.
Race Unity Day, 1997.
The Hedi Moani Charitable Trust was established in 2011 in order to materialise his vision.
Hedi had bequeathed all his considerable wealth to charity. According to his will and testament, a charitable trust was formed to uphold and implement his vision. In his will, Hedi states the followings for the purpose of his bequeathed properties:
Candia road property (11 acres)
Specifically for educational and learning purposes. Hedi foresaw the formation of a Baha’i University there in the fullness of time. All other properties to ultimately assist in this process.
Huia street house
Is to become a Baha’i hospitality house that will welcome Baha’i visitors, and in particular the pioneers and Baha’is from the pacific region. It will offer rest and comfort and rejuvenation, so they can continue with their daunting task of spiritualising the ocean of light.
Waiheke property
To be used for a Baha’i retreat, and holding of institutes, etc, for spiritualisation of the friends in Aotearoa New Zealand.
All these properties and assets are to provide:
“An atmosphere of welcome and hospitality to all those who seek the path of truth, to the poor, to the broken hearted, to those turned down and rejected by society, and to those in need of help and charity. The example of Christ, of Abdu’l-Baha, and the philosophy of the Hollow Reed through which the love of God is expressed to all humanity shall be followed.”
In summary these centres to be used for the following purposes and services:
The promotion of unity through education and learning
The promulgation of the Word of God
Educational retreats for Baha’i scholarship,
Promotion of the Baha’i Faith
Spiritualisation of the community
Baha’i hospitality house
Social and economic development
