Jerusalem Whanganui

Jerusalem, Hiruhārama in Māori, is a tiny settlement 66 kilometres up the Whanganui River Road. It was originally called Patiarero and was one of the biggest settlements on the Whanganui River in the 1840’s with several hundred Ngāti Hau inhabitants of the iwi Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi. Many Whanganui River settlements were given new place names by Reverend Richard Taylor in the 1850’s.

Jerusalem Whanganui was an isolated site where, in 1892, Suzanne Aubert (known as Mother Mary Joseph) established the congregation of the Sisters of Compassion. They became a highly respected charitable nursing and religious order.

Also established was the Jerusalem Foundling Home in 1886 which housed and cared for abandoned children from around New Zealand. A convent remains in Jerusalem as well as the Church where the Sisters of Compassion still care for the buildings and the history of the site.

The Catholic Church is over a century old and features a beautifully carved altar of Māori design and kowhaiwhai panels adorn the walls. Visit the rosary way garden and enjoy the peace and serenity of the surroundings.

It is possible to stay at the Convent in the dormitory however bookings are essential. There is also one double room with an ensuite. It is self-catering and you will need to take your own linen. There has been a continuous presence of sisters since the convent came into being and today it remains an integral part of the community and the village public library is located there. The Sisters are privileged to have the status of tangata whenua (native to the land).

James K. Baxter, the renowned New Zealand poet, lived in Jerusalem Whanganui and formed a retreat and commune in 1970 of like-minded souls. One of his last collections is named “Jersualem sonnets” and the language is colloquial describing some of his daily life at the commune.

The commune was disbanded in 1972 soon after his death and Baxter is buried nearby on tribal land.