Sisters of Compassion - Ngā Whaea O Pūaroha

Sisters of Compassion - Ngā Whaea O Pūaroha Kia ora, bula vinaka, mālō e lelei, greetings! Welcome to our official page.

The Sisters of Compassion, also known as the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion, was founded by Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert at Hiruhārama Jerusalem on the banks of the Whanganui River on 14 October 1892. For more than a century, the Sisters have taught, nursed, and provided homes for children, the sick, and the elderly in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the South Pacific. The Sisters are committed to delivering 'compassionate care' throughout the community by providing meals, food, and basic needs to those who have very little, caring for the elderly, and providing individual and family support. The Sisters and the staff and volunteers they inspire provide compassionate care from four main locations:

- In Wellington City, the Compassion Centre includes the city's Compassion Soup Kitchen.

- In Island Bay, Our Lady's Home of Compassion is our congregation's main office as well as being a conference and retreat centre. It is also the Resting Place of Meri Hohepa Suzanne Aubert and home to the Suzanne Aubert Heritage Centre.

- In Upper Hutt and Levin, Compassion Housing provides houses for elderly people at a discounted rate. The Sisters also run the Chanel Home of Compassion in Fiji for the elderly and those with disabilities.

----------------------------------

The Sisters of Compassion Group and its subsidiaries are the owners and controllers of its communications, websites and social media, referred to hereafter as platforms. In recognising this ownership and oversight, SOCG seeks to proactively manage content and comments from all users, to ensure respectful interaction. SOCG asserts the right to edit, hide or delete content, or block users on the platforms, at its sole discretion. In doing so, SOCG retains the sole regarding further discussion, communication or correspondence with any user of the platforms. Sisters of Compassion has a commenting policy in place to ensure that the platform remains a safe and respectful environment for everyone. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Hate speech: Comments that promote or condone violence, hate, or discrimination against individuals or groups based on factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability are not allowed.
• Harassment: Comments that target, intimidate, or threaten other individuals are not allowed.
• Spam: Comments that are repetitive or irrelevant or contain advertising or links to external websites are not allowed.
• Misinformation: Comments that contain false information or conspiracy theories are not allowed.
• Nudity and sexual content: Comments that contain nudity, sexual content, or explicit language are not allowed.
• We encourage users to report comments that violate these policies, so we can remove comments or disable accounts that repeatedly violate the policies.

15/09/2026

The teacher behind the teacher 🩷
One of Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert's most important teachers was a Māori woman named Peata Hoki.

Peata helped Meri Hōhepa learn te reo Māori, tikanga, and rongoā, shaping a relationship with Māori that would influence her life's work for decades.

This Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we honour not only those who learned the language, but those who generously shared it.

15/09/2026

Beginning her language journey while travelling to Aotearoa, Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert recognised the importance of learning te reo as a way of connecting with Tangata Whenua and honouring their culture.



He taonga te reo Māori.

✨FEAST OF OUR LADY OF COMPASSION✨Today marks the Feast of Our Lady of Compassion, a special day for the Sisters and a da...
14/09/2026

✨FEAST OF OUR LADY OF COMPASSION✨

Today marks the Feast of Our Lady of Compassion, a special day for the Sisters and a day we celebrate as the feast day of our Congregation.

Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert left France to work in Aotearoa. At Hiruhārama, near Whanganui, she founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion, establishing a long legacy of compassion, love, healing, service and welcome to "all creeds, and none".

In 1892, Archbishop Redwood appointed Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert Mother Superior of the new order. In naming the congregation, he observed: “Since you are called to alleviate every form of human misery, your title must be ‘of Our Lady of Compassion’.”

Lady of Compassion, pray for us.

Image: the 'Pietà' - statue in the grounds of Our Lady of Compassion at Island Bay.

14/09/2026

This week we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and honour the relationship the Sisters of Compassion have long held with Māori communities.
Did you know we celebrate a Miha Māori at the Home of Compassion every Sunday?
Te reo Māori continues to have a living place in our faith community through prayer, waiata, and worship. It is a beautiful expression of both faith and culture, and a reminder that the language Meri Hōhepa loved remains alive in our community today.
Nau mai, haere mai ki te Miha Māori - Every Sunday at 11.00am. 🤍

Join church and community voices for a faith-grounded conversation on homelessness, affordability, and social housing as...
13/09/2026

Join church and community voices for a faith-grounded conversation on homelessness, affordability, and social housing as we reflect on housing justice in Aotearoa.

Wednesday 23 September, 6:30 pm, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Thorndon.

Livestream available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNO3vzFBfVo

🗳🏠✝ HOUSING ELECTION FORUM 2026 + LIVESTREAM ✝🏠🗳

Join church leaders, community voices, and political representatives for a unique forum on one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most pressing challenges: Housing.

🏠 Date: Wednesday, 23 September
🗳 Time: 6:30pm
✝ Place: Wellington Cathedral of St Paul (2 Hill St, Thorndon in Wellington)

This is a free event. You can also watch a livestream here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNO3vzFBfVo

Hosted by church and community organisations, the Housing Election Forum 2026 will explore homelessness, housing affordability, social housing, and pathways to secure, safe and dignified homes for all.

Hear perspectives grounded in faith and community experience, learn about the housing policies being proposed by political parties, and be part of the conversation about creating a future where everyone has a decent home.

Hope to see you there!🙏

Visit Our Lady’s Home of Compassion this weekend during the South Coast Arts Trail.  At 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, you’...
11/09/2026

Visit Our Lady’s Home of Compassion this weekend during the South Coast Arts Trail.

At 2 Rhine Street, Island Bay, you’ll find a quiet, beautiful corner of the Trail — a place where John Drawbridge’s stained‑glass windows fill the Chapel with gentle colour and light.

In our gallery, we’re showing Chris McKeown’s photography. Chris will speak about his work on Saturday at 11 am & 2 pm, and at 2 pm on Sunday. Signed copies of his stunning photographs will be available to buy.

Thirty-minute tours of Our Lady's Home of Compassion will take place on: SAT 12 Sep - 10am, 1pm, or 3pm | SUN 13 Sep - 3pm

Cloister Café will be open for coffee and treats throughout the weekend. The Chapel is open Sunday from 2pm–4pm.

If you’re exploring the South Coast Arts Trail, make sure this is one of your stops.

Suzanne Aubert Scholarships 2027: Please Share This OpportunityApplications are open for the 2027 Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Au...
11/09/2026

Suzanne Aubert Scholarships 2027: Please Share This Opportunity

Applications are open for the 2027 Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert Tertiary Scholarship, and we’re encouraging everyone to share this with their networks — it’s a valuable chance for second year students in the Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington and the Diocese of Palmerston North.

Three one-off grants of $3,000 are available. Open to New Zealand citizens, the scholarship honours the legacy of Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert, whose courage, faith, and lifelong service continue to inspire.

Students should demonstrate:
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• A meaningful connection to the Catholic faith
• Enrolment at a reputable tertiary institution

Shortlisted applicants will be selected based on their background, goals, motivation, and how Suzanne Aubert’s story shapes their life and studies.

Applications close on 14 October 2026 at 12pm.

Please share — this could make a real difference for someone.

✨APPLY NOW
https://www.compassion.org.nz/compassion-news-events/call-for-suzanne-aubert-tertiary-scholarship-applications-for-2027

10/09/2026

Housing Election Forum 2026

Join church leaders, community voices, and political representatives for a unique forum on one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most pressing challenges: Housing. Hosted by church and community organisations, the Housing Election Forum 2026 will explore homelessness, housing affordability, social housing, and pathways to secure, safe and dignified homes for all. Hear perspectives grounded in faith and community experience, learn about the housing policies being proposed by political parties, and be part of the conversation about creating a future where everyone has a decent home.

Wednesday 23 September 2026
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul

Refreshments from 5:45pm | Forum begins 6:30pm | Ends 8:00pm
Livestream and recording available nationwide.

09/09/2026
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS TO GRACES & FAVOURSHave you had a personal experience with Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert? Pe...
07/09/2026

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS TO GRACES & FAVOURS

Have you had a personal experience with Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert? Perhaps you’ve received a grace, favour, or healing through her intercession, or has she had a particular influence on your life?

We are extending our deadline for submissions to a new publication from the Compassion Companions called ‘Graces & Favours’.

Please email your submission to [email protected] by 25 September 2026.

https://www.compassion.org.nz/compassion-news-events/call-for-submissions-for-book-to-celebrate-centenary-year

Address

2 Rhine Street, Island Bay
Wellington
6023

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+6443837769

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sisters of Compassion - Ngā Whaea O Pūaroha posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share