Pilgrimage sites across the Far North // Celebration Mass Totara Point
Registrations are now closed.
NGĀ TAPUWAE
SACRED FOOTSTEPS
Kupe, the renowned navigator, discovered Te Ika-a-Maui (North Island) and explored these lands over a millennium ago. After Kupe’s return to his homeland, what he named, Te Hokianga nui a Kupe would become the place where his descendants would return and then settle, sowing the seeds of Māori culture in Aotearoa. In 1838, Bishop Pompallier arrived in that same stretch of water and from there, the Catholic Church in Aotearoa began it’s mission.
Whakanuia te Hitori Celebrate History
Bishop Pompallier left France in 1836 with four priests and three brothers of the Society of Mary to lead a pioneering Roman Catholic mission to western Oceania. Totara Point marks the site of the first Mass on NZ soil celebrated by Bishop Pompallier in the house of Mary and Thomas Poynton on 13 January 1838. The house no longer stands but a plinth was erected to commemorate the centenary of the first Mass which is celebrated on Sunday nearest to 13 January every year in this place.
Registrations are open and all are welcome to hikoi with us to learn more of our Catholic heritage.
Please register here
HE HĪKOI WAIRUA SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
The physical act of a pilgrimage allows a sacred place to touch the heart and soul of the individual. A pilgrimage is a symbol of the spiritual journey we are on throughout our lives. This coming January we invite you to make a pilgrimage to Hokianga, the cradle of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Journey – Te Haerenga
Our Lady of the Highway
Standing on the hillside at Ōmanaia, the statue was foundered in Lille, France from scrap metal and armaments left by the Franco-Prussian War. Now known as Our Lady of the Highway, she protects travellers on the highways.
Pompallier House
Bishop Pompallier established the headquarters for his Vicariate in Kororāreka, our nation’s first capital.
(Site visit an option only)
Tāne Māhuta - Waipoua Forest
Tāne Māhuta, revered as the Lord of the Forests, symbolised in a 2000 year old Kauri. This point will mark the entry from the southern Hokianga.
Information - Korero
Costs
Costs of the pilgrimage are predominantly aligned to your parish and would include the cost associated with travel such as vans , petrol and insurance and consumable that come with you such as clothes, sleeping bag and personal items.
The only costs that you may need external to this are:
Staying at the Tauteihihi Marae estimated $50 per person per night which includes breakfast & dinner.
Contact Us
For further information please don not hesitate to contact us on:
Stephen Fraser 021 439 407 or: [email protected]
Wiga Autet: [email protected]
Manuel Beazley: [email protected]
Safeguarding
The Catholic Diocese of Auckland must indemnify itself again your actions on this pilgrimage. In light of that please review and understand the safeguarding policies of the diocese and their relationship with the safeguarding policies of your parish. These are aligned. It is intended that your parish document and notify all elements of risk (Risk assessment management) to yourselves and those who during the pilgrimage will be around.
See Safeguarding policy here https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/services/safeguarding/