Trip Planner: South Pacific / New Zealand / North Island / Northland Region / Bay of Islands / Russell / Pompallier Mission and Printery

Pompallier Mission and Printery, Russell

4.7

#2 of 26 in Things to do in Russell

#Historic Site, #Tourist Spot

New Zealand's oldest Roman Catholic building, Pompallier Mission and Printery also represents the country's oldest rammed-earth structure. The pioneering Catholic missionaries constructed the building in the 19th century, using the rammed-earth style of their hometown Lyon. Step inside to learn about the processes of tanning, printing, and binding that the missionaries used to produce over 30,000 books and tracts, some published in Maori. After the guided tour you can explore the award-winning heritage garden, offering sweeping beach-side views across the bay. To visit Pompallier Mission and Printery on your holiday in Russell, and find out what else Russell has to offer, use our Russell trip builder app .

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Pompallier Mission and Printery Tours

Bay of Islands Day Tour from Auckland BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $169

159 reviews

Duration: 12 hours

Buy tours from $169

Pompallier Mission and Printery Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

467 reviews

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4.7

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4.5

225 likes

By rubarb91 On May 22, 2018

Very knowledgeable guide (don’t think she introduced herself) but really very interesting facts about the place. Definitely worth a visit also for kids. more »
By Ju-et-Dan On May 10, 2018

Bel endroit, très intéressant avec la visite guidée surtout, l'histoire des missionnaires catholique français et de l'imprimerie de la bible ne langue maorie. Un café "français" délicieux jouxte la mi... more »

Nice place, very interesting with the guided tour especially, the story of the missionaries Catholic french and printing of the bible not Maori language. A delicious "french" Café is adjacent to the mission.

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By Tom B On May 2, 2018

Pompallier has a really nice cafe and tourist shop adjacent to the main building. Great views of the sea and yachts with a small garden in between. The staff are really friendly and helpful. The tour ... more »

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By Alan Birch On April 23, 2018

Lovely gardens but do take the guided tour of the mission building. A very knowledgeable guide takes you through the processes of printing books and binding then with leather. They tan their own leather to make the book covers and you get right amongst it in their small tannery.

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By Lex Howard On May 22, 2018

Fascinating tour through early Catholic missionary work in the Pacific, including the early days of book-making. Well worth the fee.

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By Mary Fitzgibbon On February 17, 2018

Brilliant visit. Took the tour. Really informative. Lovely French guide. Had coffee and a croissant there in the lovely cafe and shop.

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By Regan Ashworth On November 23, 2017

This is easily the best thing to do while you're in Russell. It's a gorgeous old building and the tour is absolutely worth every penny. Great for history buffs, lovers of antiques, kids, and anyone interested in how things work. Plan your day around this for sure!

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By Lisa Bridson On March 25, 2018

Hadn't known what to expect. Fascinating account of the French Catholic missionary and of the tanning, printing, and book binding industry

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