Church of the Good Shepherd

NEW ZEALAND'S MOST PHOTOGRAPHED CHURCH

02 JANUARY 2023

The famous dog statue at Lake Tekapo

You Won't Be The Only One Visiting

The Church of the Good Shepherd is a small stone church located on the shores of Lake Tekapo in the South Island of New Zealand. It's one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area, known for its stunning setting and beautiful architecture.

The church was built in 1935 and it was constructed to blend into the alpine environment, so it was clad in unchipped local stone and even the lichen was left on it to give it a natural look. It's a beautiful building in a beautiful place and it's so easy to see why it's so highly photographed.

We first visited in May 2021 and there was barely anyone there, then again in the summer of 2022 when we spent a month in Tekapo and it was PACKED, even at 8:30 at night!

Pawsitively Adorbs!

In the 19th century, a pack of Scottish shepherds descended upon the South Island of New Zealand, each armed with their trusty border collies and a fierce determination to herd all the sheep in sight. And herd they did, thanks to their loyal four-legged friends. To commemorate these hardworking pups and their role in making the South Island's livestock industry what it is today, a bronze statue was created.

Know Before You Go

The church is closed to visitors most of the time but you can wander around it
There is plenty of parking outside both the church and dog statue
The dog statue is just a stone's throw away from the church
It can get packed in summer, so if you want to see it without the crowds then go early or late in the evening

Mappy McMap Face

Getting There

The church and dog statue are on the lake front of Lake Tekapo down Pioneer Drive, off State Highway 8. The church and statue are situated really close to each other and there's loads of parking outside.

Conclusion

And there you have it, folks - a double dose of cuteness in one visit. First the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd and then the tail-waggingly adorable dog statue of Tekapo. Don't forget to snap a few pictures for your Instagram, your followers will be barking with envy.