Have you ever wondered about the stories behind those grand old mansions? Right here, in front of us, stands Ngaroma Manor. It’s more than just a beautiful building; it’s a window into Wellington’s history. Ngaroma Manor was built in 1926 for Hope Gibbons, a successful businessman. He named it ‘Ngaroma’, which means ‘beautiful’ in Maori. Ngaroma Manor was a testament to the Gibbons family’s wealth and influence; it’s a Tudor-style mansion, the grandest of its kind in all of Wellington.
For two decades, the Gibbons family lived in Ngaroma Manor, hosting lavish events in their sprawling gardens and inviting people to parties, fetes, and dances. They were quite the socialites! But in 1947, the family sold the house to the Catholic Church; the building became the Polish Girls’ Hostel, housing girls from the Polish Children’s Camp in Pahiatua. The girls who lived there were in their teens; they came from a war-torn country and learned to make a new life in New Zealand. The Ursuline Sisters, who ran the hostel, treated the girls like family.
The Polish Girls’ Hostel was a place of joy and laughter; the girls created a vibrant community. They had a special bond and made lifelong friendships. The stories of these young women – their resilience, hope, and strength – are a vital part of Ngaroma Manor’s history. In 1957, the Sisters were called back to Poland. Sadly, the hostel closed, but the memories of the Polish girls still linger in the walls of Ngaroma Manor. The building was later given to the Apostolic Nuncio, the Vatican’s diplomatic representative, who remains its occupier to this day.
Ngaroma Manor has seen generations pass through its halls; it’s a stunning example of the grand lives and the resilience of the people who called it home. It’s a magnificent piece of history, and right here, in the heart of Wellington, we can feel the echoes of its stories in the rustling leaves of the garden.