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Save the date: October 24th to 27th 2026
Walking 100km over four days
Commencing on the Saturday with check in at Kerikeri, Pilgrims will be transported to the start point at Waitangi, walking a coastal track to Opua for Mass, then through Kauri forest to the first night’s camping destination near Ohaewae.
Sunday morning, the Feast of Christ The King, starts with Mass and breakfast, the Pilgrims then make their way to Okaihau past Lake Omapere, for our second night base camp and a visit to the historic St Patrick’s Church.
On Monday we make our way along Okaihau plateau through farmland with stunning panoramic views ending up at Totara Point, where Mass is celebrated at the location of the first NZ Catholic Mass, said by Bishop Pompallier, from there we head to the Kohukohu and Ngai Tupoto Marae for our third night.
The Pilgrimage concludes on Tuesday with mass in the morning at Our Lady of The Assumption before breakfast and a half day walk along the coast and into the hills to Motuti, the final resting place of Bishop Pompallier.
Step into a journey of profound significance
Footsteps of Pompallier Pilgrimage 2026
Our mission is twofold: to promote the Latin Rite (Extraordinary) and to provide a platform for both priests and laypeople to glorify God through a spiritual, cultural, and educational journey.
This pilgrimage offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with the Catholic faith and Tangata Whenua in Northland. Join us on Labour Weekend 2026 as we retrace the footsteps of New Zealand’s first Catholic pilgrims.
Walking 100km on foot to the serene Hokianga Harbour, ending at the final resting place of Bishop Pompallier. Experience the land of the Hokianga harbour and engage with the history of its people, allowing time to pause, reflect and pray, during the deeply spiritual experience of a traditional style pilgrimage.
The Footsteps of Pompallier pilgrimage is travelled entirely on foot over 4 days and camping each night outside.While the physical demands may test endurance, the spiritual rewards are immeasurable.
Join us to experience this pilgrimage, as we embark on a journey that promises to enrich the soul and deepen our connection with Almighty God.
Volunteer
Help to support the pilgrims on their journey either as part of the pre-event team or at the live event
Gallery
View images from past events
Support this event
Find out how you can support this event through sponsorship or by volunteering.
2024 Founding Sponsors & Donors:
Thank you to all the people and organisations whose combined
efforts made the pilgrimage happen for the first time in 2024
Upcoming Events
2026 Fundraiser
Footsteps of Pompallier Pilgrimage is a not for profit event, to keep the price of the cost to pilgrims we fundraise to help cover the costs of running this event.
Our 2026 fundraiser lottery was a roaring success. Tickets were limited to 400 and sold out quickly. Prizes included:
First prize of $4000.00 cash.
Second prize of $600.00 cash.
Third prize of $400.00 cash.
Follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our mailing list below and be the first to know when tickets go on sale for the next pilgrimage lottery.
Goal: $11,000
Speaker Event
Would you like someone to come and speak at your parish about this pilgrimage?
We enjoy speaking speaking to groups about the history of the first Catholic missionaries to NZ, pilgrimages, how a traditional, walking pilgrimage is a journey that promises to enrich the soul and deepen our connection with Almighty God and why it is important to us in a modern world.