Pā Maria is a Marist Community and Spirituality Centre situated in Thorndon, Wellington. It is run by members of the Society of Mary (Marists). It was a Marist Administrative Centre for some years and then became a centre focussed on spirituality. It was formally known as Emmaus and then became Pā Maria in the early 2000’s.
The Māori word Pā refers to a fortified village or stronghold built by Māori. It was a safe place where people could go during war or danger, but it also had other important uses. Pā were places to live, store food, learn new skills, and practice crafts or gardening.
Marists were the first Catholic missionaries to Aotearoa/New Zealand and arrived in the Hokianga with Bishop Pompallier in 1838 to serve and mission among Māori.