Our Lady of the Southern Star Abbey (Kopua) is the only Cistercian monastery in New Zealand. Kopua was founded by Mount Melleray Abbey, Ireland in 1954. The monks of Kopua belong to the worldwide Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (OCSO), popularly known as the “Trappists”.
At the heart of the monastic life is the search for God. We seek God and follow Christ in a life of prayer and community, solitude and simplicity, work and hospitality.
We follow the Rule of St Benedict, an ancient source of monastic wisdom that continues to guide many people in search of an authentic spiritual path in today’s world.
Our Place
The Abbey is situated in a beautiful, relatively remote, rural area of New Zealand on a dairy farm between Dannevirke and Waipukurau, Central Hawke’s Bay.
Visitors
Visitors are always welcome at the Monastery. Guests are invited to share in the monastic services and to enjoy the peace of this sacred place. Those who may wish to have a deeper experience of the life are able to stay in the monastery guesthouse. Prior booking is essential. Due to a high level of interest we are fully booked for 2023. Our bookings for 2024 will open in the latter half of this year.
Mass Times
Sunday: Community Mass at 10.00am
Weekdays: Community Mass at 8.00am
Care for the Environment
With a recurring historical theme of Cistercians caring for their environment, the Kopua Cistercian Associate community, having just celebrated the 20th year of their formation, are supporting the monastic community to restore a wetland on its grounds. Father Nicho’s response to the idea when it was first presented in 2021 was: “Last night at [...]
Kopua Habitat Restoration Project Working Bee No 8
Matariki Weekend June 2022 On the Friday of the first public holiday acknowledging Matariki over 40 volunteers gathered to begin planting 1000 native trees around the Kopua Wetland. We began with a Matariki Waiata sung by Hinekawa Munday. This waiata featured all nine stars in the cluster. After introductions we moved to the planting [...]