The name “Pā Maria” was offered to the Society of Mary by Mr Richard Puanaki in consultation with his family.
Mr Puanaki, a longtime associate of the Marists and now in Wairoa, provides the following explanation: “ ‘Maria’ is of course a Maori transliteration of “Mary”.
In addition to its well-known meaning of “stronghold or fortress”, Pā also means “to be touched or come close to, be near”.
So the name Pā Maria denotes a secure place where people can come close to and be touched by Mary.’