St Paul's Memorial Church, Putiki
Putiki Church
A plain white wooden church from the outside, but its interior is filled with Māori carvings and woven panels, a masterpiece of Māori church art in New Zealand.
St Paul's Memorial Church stands in the Māori village of Putiki on the east bank of the Whanganui River, rebuilt in 1937 on the site of an old mission station. Unlike ordinary colonial wooden churches, its interior was decorated by Māori craftsmen under the guidance of master carver Pine Taiapa. Painted roof beams, traditional tukutuku woven panels, and figurative carvings blend together, and the church is regarded as a representative example of the fusion of Māori art and Christianity. The church is usually locked, so contact the congregation in advance or visit before a service. Please keep quiet during your visit. It is about 2 km from the city center across the bridge.
Opening hours
Visits by reservation
Nearby sights
- Durie Hill Elevator & War Memorial Tower
- New Zealand Glassworks
- Whanganui Regional Museum
- PS Waimarie
- Whanganui River Traders Market
- Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui
- Virginia Lake Reserve
- Bason Botanic Gardens