St. Joseph’s Home is nestled in the heart of Ponsonby, Auckland, offering stunning views of Waitemata Harbour and the Harbour Bridge.
Established in 1888, the Little Sisters of the Poor began their mission here to serve the elderly with compassion and dignity. Originally located on Hepburn Street, the Home moved to Tweed Street where a purpose-built facility was constructed. The current Home, rebuilt in 2003, provides hospital-level and rest home care, as well as independent living units—all designed to ensure every resident feels truly at home.
Residents and tenants interact daily, creating a warm and inclusive community where everyone is respected, loved, and never alone.
St. Joseph’s offers 31 rooms, each with a heated ensuite. Room features include:
At the heart of the Home is the Chapel—a peaceful sanctuary open to all.
Inspired by St. Jeanne Jugan, our guiding principle remains: “Making the Residents happy is what counts.” This mission is carried forward daily by the Little Sisters, their staff, and dedicated volunteers.
As of 30 June 2021, all rooms (with ensuite) are charged at a standard rate of $159.75 per day.
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St. Joseph’s Home has a rich history rooted in faith, resilience, and community. The story began in December 1884, when Bishop Luck of Auckland encountered two Little Sisters of the Poor during a visit to Melbourne. This chance meeting sparked the idea of establishing a foundation in Auckland.
Though the Sisters were originally scheduled to arrive in 1886, a typhoid outbreak in Sydney delayed their journey. Finally, in June 1888, two Little Sisters arrived in Auckland and—with help from Bishop Luck and benefactor Mr. Darby—secured a modest house on Hepburn Street in Ponsonby.
Despite having no furniture, and little more than sandwiches donated by the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters immediately set to work. Mr. Darby, moved by their humility and faith, returned with food and supplies—and continued to support the Home weekly. The Sisters, using handmade bags and baskets, became a familiar sight around the city as they collected donations. Their selflessness inspired local generosity that helped sustain the growing Home.
In January 1889, the Sisters acquired five acres on Shelly Beach Road, moving into a larger wooden house, and constructing a separate building for men in 1891. By 1904, they relocated the original timber house across the street to Tweed Street—where it still stands today as Mollies Hotel—and completed the construction of a larger main building.
As demand grew, the Home expanded again in the 1920s, eventually accommodating up to 200 elderly residents. The Sisters welcomed people of all faiths and backgrounds, continuing their mission to care for those most in need.
In 1998, the aging buildings were demolished to make way for a modern, purpose-built facility. By 2003, the new St. Joseph’s Home opened, offering a full continuum of care—from independent living units to hospital and rest home care—designed to meet the evolving needs of the elderly.
Today, the spirit of St. Jeanne Jugan, foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, lives on through the daily care and companionship offered by the Sisters, their dedicated staff, volunteers, and supportive Auckland community.
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