Please note that, while we regularly update this information and make sure it is correct, Footsteps of Pompallier Pilgrimage is a live event, conducted outdoors and therefore we reserve the right to change the itinerary, schedule and specifics of this event at any time during the pilgrimage should circumstances require this.

Registration Questions

When is the Pilgrimage?

The pilgrimage will take place from Saturday 24th October to Tuesday 27th October 2026.

See the Pilgrimage page for detailed information on the itinerary.

Can I book for a single day?

No.  The pilgrimage is organised for those wishing to complete the full journey.  

Am I able to get a refund if I can no longer attend?

If you let us know before the 31st August 2026, we will refund your registration fee. Please contact us by using the contact form to organise a refund.

We are unable to refund registrations from 1st September 2026 (after this date, all funds would have been committed to pilgrimage operating costs).

In this case consider either:

1. Transferring your registration to someone else, which you can do any time before midnight on the Friday one week prior to Day 1 of the pilgrimage. This is easy to do using the registration form following the instructions in the next FAQ “Can I transfer my registration to someone else?”.

2. Donating your place to a religious or lay person who has applied for a funded registration, If you would like to do this please contact us via the contact form to arrange.

 

Can I transfer my registration to someone else

Yes, this is very easy to do. Please get the replacement person to:

  1. Register themselves using the “Registration” form
  2. Select “YES” to the last question on the registration form “Is this a ticket transfer registration?”
  3. Fill in your full name in the field underneath
  4. Click SUBMIT
  5. We will transfer your registration to the replacement person and send you both confirmation emails

Do I need to register for the Pilgrimage?

Yes, you must be registered to attend the Pilgrimage. Please complete the Registration form

Can I get a discount?

Yes, there is a 10% family discount for families.

If you are unable to attend due to financial hardship, please contact us via the contact form.

Can I change my registration details?

Yes, please contact us with an update via the Contact form.

Will numbers be capped?

Yes, the maximum number of pilgrims for 2026 is 60. 

Check-In & Transport

The Check-In Desk is open between 7:00 – 7.30 am on Saturday 24th October 2026 at the Kerikeri Sports Complex car park, located Cnr Heritage Bypass & Waipapa Road. Entry into the car park is off Waipapa Road, see map 

Pilgrims are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the Pilgrimage. It is recommended that you carpool where possible, as parking may be limited on the day.

Pilgrimage Coaches depart the car park at 8.00 am sharp. Transport will not be waiting for those that are running late, so it is imperative that you arrive on time. If you are late for any reason, contact the Pilgrimage Event Manager, this information will be in your registration confirmation email. 

Personal vehicles are not permitted on the Pilgrimage for safety reasons, this includes following the pilgrimage.

What transport is available at the end of the Pilgrimage?

Coaches will be provided to transport you back to the initial uplift location in Kerikeri. Transport from there is in your hands.

How do I get to the starting point?

Coaches will uplift all pilgrims from the Kerikeri Sports Complex and transport them to the starting point for the day.  

Prior to boarding the coaches, pilgrims will complete the registration process.  

Pilgrims should not make their own way to the starting point unless previously arranged with the event management. 

Where can I park my car?

We have made arrangements with the Kerikeri Sports Complex.

The Sports Complex has kindly allowed us to leave our cars here for the duration of the Pilgrimage, however, this is at the owner’s risk.  

Families

Is the Pilgrimage suitable for families?

Yes if your children need to be able to walk up to 25km/day. 

Please note: any children under 18 years of age must have a responsible guardian (either a parent or someone designated by the parent) supervising them at all times during the entire duration of the Pilgrimage. 

Children under 18 cannot attend on their own.

Are there discounts for families?

Yes, a 10% discount is available for families when registering online.  Families are classed as 2 adults and one or more children.  The discount will be applied after you register.

Can I stay off-site each night?

No, stay with us!  The organisers don’t have the capacity to manage this scenario.

On the Road

How hard is this going to be?

Don’t worry!  The Pilgrimage can be completed by anyone with a moderate level of fitness.  

If you get injured or fatigued, we provide a support van which can pick you up and take you to the next rest stop.

There are several hill sections on the last two days and some preparation is required. Download a free Training Schedule here

What kind of support is provided on the road?

Toilets and hydration stations are provided at rest stops, every 2-3hrs.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner, bottles water and fruit for morning and afternoon tea are provided, bring your own extra snacks.

Medical support will be available at all rest stops to support those who become injured or fatigued. Please note, medical support is only provided for injuries or in emergency situation. It is up to you to bring your own first aid for minor things like blisters, insect bites, sunburn and sore muscles etc.

See our list of items to pack here

We also provide a support vehicle, which can pick you up and take you to the next stop if needed. 

Will we be walking on closed roads?

No,  walkers will be requested to remain in between the safety vehicles and within their chapter.  

Due to the lack of walkable verges and footpaths in this part of the country, most of your journey will be on formed roads. 

What happens if I become injured or unwell?

Medical support will be on-hand if you become injured or unwell while walking. 

A support vehicle can pick you up and take you to the next stop if you can’t continue. 

We will call an ambulance for any serious injuries or ill-health.

Will there be toilets along the way?

Yes, portable toilets are available every 2-3hrs at all the rest stops.

Do I need to carry food & water with me?

Yes, you need to carry water each day plus snacks for morning & afternoon tea. We provide fruit at rest stops.

Bottled water will be available to restock your supply at all rest stops.

You will need a day pack to carry your water  and other things you may need as you walk between rest stops.

Do I need to carry all my gear while walking?

No, we provide transport for your main bags/tents to the next night location/base camp. We suggest carrying a small daypack with a drink bottle, snacks, hat, sunscreen and a rain jacket (you will need to carry your daypack while you’re walking). 

See and download our suggested packing lists under “What to bring” on the Pilgrimage page.

Where can I find the Itinerary for the Pilgrimage?

To see detailed itineraries for each day please go to the Itinerary page

What if I can't walk the whole way?

Don’t worry!  If you get injured or fatigued, we provide a support vehicle which can pick you up and take you to the next stop.

Meals & Campsites

Where will I be sleeping?

You will be spending one night camping at a rugby club and two nights on Marae (Camping for everyone Day 1 and 2. Day 3 there will be indoor space for women and boys under 12 inside the marae).

What sleeping gear do I need to bring?

You will need to bring a tent, sleeping bag and insulated mat.  The nights spent on Marae will have limited space indoors. This will be allocated to women & young children. 

Can I charge my phone at campsites & marae?

There will be power outlets at all base camps but power outlets will be limited.

If needed, consider bringing a portable power bank in your main luggage or to charge as you walk as an extra precaution.

What meals will be supplied?

Day One: Lunch, dinner, water and fruit at rest stops. Selection of hot drinks at campsite.

Days Two and Three: Breakfast, lunch & dinner, water and fruit at rest stops. Selection of hot drinks at campsite.

Day Four: Breakfast, water and fruit at rest stops. Selection of hot drinks at breakfast time. Pack lunch for coach journey back to Kerikeri

Recommendation: bring snacks.

Will you cater for specific dietary requirements?

We provide basic meals that should cater for most people attending.

Please complete the “dietary needs” section on the registration form and we will do our best to cater for you. 

It is recommended that you bring additional food items to supplement what is provided. 

Please note: we will do our very best to accommodate allergies but, as we have volunteers catering and are in marae venues using their equipment, we cannot guarantee 100% that benches and equipment will be free from allergen contamination.

Do you cater for individuals with food allergies?

Please contact us if you have a severe allergy.

Make sure you record any allergies, medical conditions or dietary requirements when you register.  This will help us to accommodate your needs.

Please note: we will do our very best to accommodate allergies but, as we have volunteers catering and are in marae venues using their equipment, we cannot guarantee 100% that benches and equipment will be free from allergen contamination.

What security will be provided?

We recommend that you don’t bring valuables on the Pilgrimage.  Your luggage will often be unattended. 

 

Can friends/family drop me off & pick me up throughout the Pilgrimage?

No, let’s journey together.

How do I move my luggage from site to site each day?

Load your bags onto the luggage truck in the morning and our support crew team will transport your bag & tent to the next campsite/marae where your luggage will be laid out for you to collect when you arrive. 

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

Ecoboil

2024 Core Organisational Team

Don Da Via, Helen Thorpe, Antony Thorpe, Miriam Guthrie, Fr Anton Sumich,

Fr.Nathan Pospischil, Anthony Ng, Tauriq Barron, Catherine Opie

 

2024 Donors

Miriam & Steve Guthrie, Rolland & Tofa Pereira, Cecilia Titi Gore, Helen & Antony Thorpe, Lourdes Ng, Louis D’Argent, Anthony Ng, Marietta and Joe Seiuli, Fiona & Geoff Thomas, The Gaugau Family, Peter Yung, Susan Moa, Antonia Vai, Theresa Chan, Catherine Opie,

All of the Auckland Latin Mass community

And others who wish to remain anonymous

a very big THANK YOU for all your support,

we could not have done it without you.

 

2024 Fundraising Team

Fiona & Geoff Thomas, Antonia Vai, Peter Yung, Ryan Johnson,

Michael & Dominique Baker, Susan Moa, Lynn Vai, Marietta & Joe Seiuli,

Myles Davidson, Jan Deocampo, Venezia Gaugau, Giovana Gaugau,

Tirzah Alfante, Francesca Yuen, Gertrude Yuen, Mel Adriatico, Sophie Black,

Thomas Hay, Tauriq Barron, Theresa, Tanzee Samita, Felix Auvaa, Fipa Wulf,

Easton Malletoa-Brown, Wesley Moa, Catherine Opie

 

2024 Pilgrim Support Team

Team Leaders:

Fr. Anton Sumich, Fr. Nathan Pospischil, Don Da Via

Base Camp:

Grace Yuen, Gertrude Yuen, Catherine Opie, Myles Davidson,

Tofa Pereira, Rolland Pereira, Beth Alfante

Road Crew:

Suresh Haridas, Bob Schimanski, Chris,

Aaron Lawgun, Ronald, Anthony Ng, Mark Mitchelson

We would like to acknowledge

 The hospitality and generosity of:

The Flood Family,

St Patrick’s Church Okaihau parish,

Mudgeway Hall Community,

Tautoko Radio Station

Te Karae Marae and the Church of St John the Baptist,

Motu Karaka Marae and the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption,

Motuti Marae and St Mary’s Church.

 

Special mention also to the land owner who towed our supply truck out of the mud, in the middle of a storm, to the first base camp.

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 is a lottery. Tickets are limited to 400 and prizes include:

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.

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.

Goal: 1000 people contacted

Join us on this journey as we follow in the footsteps of the first Catholic missionaries in New Zealand.

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