Nano Nagle founded the Presentation Sisters in Cork, Ireland in 1775. Her health was failing and she was anxious to ensure her mission was continued after her death. When she died there were three sisters. Now the Presentation Family is present across the world.
From a tiny acorn a mighty oak tree grows.
arrival of first sisters in NZ 1951The Presentation Sisters first came to New Zealand in January 1951 at the invitation of Archbishop MacKeefrey. Five Sisters from Tuam, Galway, Ireland volunteered to travel across the world and open a school in the new suburb of Taita, Wellington.
In 1954 fourteen more Sisters arrived; seven from Kerry at the invitation of Bishop John Kavanagh bound for Green Island ; and seven from Thurles who were to establish a community in Paraparaumu. The New Zealand these pilgrims arrived into was recovering from World War Two. It was a time of growth with the beginning of the baby boom and a significant rise in immigration. Urban areas were struggling to accommodate this growth in population. The growing young population was putting a strain on existing schools, health and housing. Most New Zealanders were enjoying increased prosperity and unemployment was largely unknown.
The Sisters who came to each group were mostly teachers who received no salary or reimbursement. Some taught music, speech and singing and this supplemented the little income from the schools. The local people who saw the Sisters’ efforts, enthusiasm and courage supported them generously.
beginnings of taita
The first group of Sisters brought the Presentation flame to Taita (Wellington). Like so many new foundations there was plenty to challenge our Pioneering Sisters. When the first group arrived in Taita, there was no convent, no school and a primitive church constructed from an old army hut (it also served as a hall). The Mercy and Mission Sisters offered the sisters hospitality for eighteen months until 1953 when the convent, school, parish church and presbytery were built. Until the school was built the younger children were taught in the church while the older pupils were taken by train each day to St Bernard's College in Porirua where space was available.
The group that arrived in Taita paved the way and through their experience in these uncharted waters were able to help and encourage the other two groups for their journey when they came to Green Island and Paraparaumu in 1954. 
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paraparaumuWhen the Sisters arrived at Paraparaumu in January 1954, conditions were not much different.
They too arrived at what was then little more than a seaside resort, only to find no school or convent ready for them. Undaunted they took over the "Bluemoon Ballroom" which was to serve as a classroom for the first year. The school started with a role of 84 when it first opened in February 1954 - by the end of the year it was around 170. The Sisters lived at the Presbytery until their convent was completed in late 1954. 
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Green island
When the Sisters arrived in Green Island in January 1954 they too were faced with neither school nor convent.
They accepted the hospitality of the Dominican Sisters with whom they stayed for a year. During this time they familiarised themselves with teaching methods in New Zealand and were ready for the opening of St Peter Chanel school in February 1955 beginning with 147 pupils. |
our evolving story
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Our evolving story down the years saw our Sisters move out of the schools and into new forms of ministry. Faithful to their vision of responding to the needs of the day, they became involved in many diverse forms of ministry over the years, from Prison Ministry to Hospital Chaplaincy, to Pastoral Work, Counselling, Spiritual Direction and care of sick and elderly.. the list goes on and is ever changing as new needs are responded to.
Our motto has been to go one pace beyond as Presentation Sisters, listening to the voice of the Spirit and responding to the needs of today. In 1981 four sisters left to assist in the foundation in Lo Valdivia, Chile at the request of the local Bishop in Chile. in 1986 two more Sisters responded to a call from our Sisters in Papua New Guinea where they served for about 8 years before returning to New Zealand 1989 saw a new development in the Presentation story with the people we work with wishing to be associated with our charism. This movement began in Upper Hutt, where our Sisters had been working on a Pastoral team for 10 years and were now moving on to an area in greater need. A small group, recognising the value of "doing things" the Presentation way and wanting to retain these values - asked the Sisters if there was some way a bond could be formed and so the Presentation Associates in New Zealand came into being. This movement is now known as the "Friends of Nano." |
Interview with Sister Pauline Moloney recorded on the occasion of the 300th celebrations of Nano Nagle's birth
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Today the Presentation family may be found in many areas where the Sisters have ministered.
The Presentation Sisters are in Stokes Valley, Taita and Mosgiel.
The Presentation Sisters are in Stokes Valley, Taita and Mosgiel.