Kiwi Pilgrimages

Kiwi Pilgrimages

Kiwi Pilgrimages is a New Zealand response to what is now a worldwide resurgence in the medieval concept of pilgrimage. The last 50 years has seen a huge new momentum. For example, in 1972 just 67 pilgrims were recorded as completing Spain’s Santiago de Compostela; in 2019 some 348,000 did so. 

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201111-a-new-love-for-medieval-style-travel

At this stage Kiwi Pilgrimages has an Auckland and North Auckland focus. The aim of this website is to suggest pilgrimage destinations with their spiritual, historic and secular relevance that people can pick up and adapt for the circumstances of their own group. It does not purport to be a guide book. You are welcome to contact Greg Smith via email: , who can provide more detailed information on the routes and the necessary contacts for sites not permanently open to the public. In addition information can be given about bus and ferry connections where these are involved.

Is strongly recommended that someone lead the group who will have done the necessary preparatory work and walked the route in advance. This will ensure a better outcome on the day. Good planning and timing are essential. Health and safety of the walkers should be in the forefront of the preparations.

In addition, organised pilgrimages will be advertised from time to time. These will have a specified date, leader and timetable. Each of the pilgrimages has a Bunyanesque title but this is not intended to overly emphasise the religious aspect. Even if made as part of a group the motivation will vary from person to person. Like the Canterbury Tales these pilgrimages also need to have a fun element to them. Piety and worldliness have always been in tension for any pilgrimage.

However, a pilgrimage is not just a hike or a walk. There will be something deeper propelling the pilgrim which may not be capable of being articulated or even need to be. And running parallel with any spiritual quest will always be the sheer enjoyment of getting out into the world at a more natural pace. Seeing and understanding a landscape from a walking perspective differs greatly from journeying through it by mechanised transport. Meeting and sharing with others on the journey to the same destination can also be a very life affirming experience.

John Ure in his book “Pilgrimages” has summed up pilgrimages well. “To go to see for oneself the scene of great events is a deeply ingrained human instinct. The birthplace of famous men, the field on which notable battles have been fought, the site of heroic deeds or great romances, all these have attracted secular visitors over the centuries. So it is little wonder that where people’s faith as well as their sentiments or patriotism have been involved, where human events appear to have been touched by the supernatural, the urge to go and see has been stronger. The concept of going on pilgrimage is not only of distant origin but of deep appeal.”

The traditional Christian church is in decline. Numbers are dropping and churches are closing. Interest and understanding of Christianity is fading. Many if not the majority of New Zealanders now have little knowledge of the Bible. There is little inculcated faith which the church has been able to rely on for its survival up until now.

But strangely there is one survivor that is emerging and that is “pilgrimage”. While it is now becoming almost synonymous with “tourism”, at least it is alive. It is a remnant of early church life. The challenge now is to run with it again at its deeper original meaning. This is what Kiwi Pilgrimages seeks to do.

St Georges Epsom

Ellerslie Pilgrimage

29th September 2023

For now we see through a glass, darkly.

The aim of this pilgrimage is to make a small survey of the stained glass windows in some of our local churches. It is by no means a “compare and contrast” exercise to find the best example, but an effort to understand this art form which has continued since medieval times.

Very often stained glass is almost seen as a prerequisite to a church or some sort of mandatory backdrop. It is easy almost to take it for granted. This belittles the huge dedication necessary to  effect these windows. They have always been expensive to create, install and maintain. They are fragile and vulnerable and almost defy the elements that can so easily destroy them.

Stained glass can have an evolving character. Often these windows will be installed years after the construction of the church. Frequently their installation will mark the history and development of the church itself. The challenge has always been whether to be retrospective or modern in their design. They can bring a pleasing tension to a church.

On this walk we survey the windows of four churches – St George’s, Epsom, Te Unga Waka, Epsom, St Aidan’s, Remuera and Christ Church, Ellerslie. The windows range from Victorian to a more abstract modernism. Some have a time capsule purity with their building and others have evolved with their church and times.

Overall, this pilgrimage seeks to gauge the reaction of the pilgrim to the windows and what may give this art form a lasting quality.

To register your participation please contact Greg Smith 524 2926 or email:

St Georges Epsom

The Power of Creation

Auckland’s volcanic cones are obvious and well known. They are great landmarks and integral with the identity of Auckland.

A further part of these volcanoes is the Meola Reef, Te Tokaroa or Te Arawhakapekapeka-o-Ruarangi meaning the pathway of Ruarangi. If anything demonstrates the power of creation it has to be this lava flow, because phenomenally its origin is Mt St John behind St George’s Church, Epsom. The length of the lava flow is 11 kilometres which makes it Auckland’s longest.

The pilgrimage is a contemplation of the extreme forces that are permanently at work beneath our feet. Human occupation can seem very ephemeral vis a vis this hugely destructive yet creative energy. The walk starts with a look at the crater on Mt St John and a chance to envision the vast quantity of red hot lava flowing out on its western side.

Mt St John is a very old volcano compared with its younger neighbour Mt Eden whose eruption now overlies much of the lava flow. One cannot walk now easily the direct original course, not to mention the modern urban development that has also been superimposed. Instead, pilgrims will take the train from Remuera Station into the city and Tokaroa will be approached from the shores of the Waitemata. This is an interesting and pleasant walk with much to see on the way. The return journey to St George’s is by bus.

For more information  on this pilgrimage, please phone Greg Smith, 524-2926.

St Georges Epsom

Blessed are the Peacemakers

The scope of this pilgrimage is some of the lesser known yet important historical and geographical features of the North Shore. It is also a good chance to evaluate past and present development and where we may be going as a city. It is a very good opportunity to look at the Harbour Bridge and its importance for Auckland, both visually within the landscape and as a transport connection.

The walk starts with a ferry ride to Northcote Point and then as much as possible one walks through reserves and public walkways around Shoal Bay and Ngataringa Bay back to the ferry in Devonport. The main destination of the pilgrimage is Patuone’s grave on the slope of Takarunga/Mt Victoria. At the end of his very long and turbulent life Patuone was known as the Peacemaker. His lifespan encompassed many of the important historical events that are still being examined today.

Highlights of the walk are Te Onewa Pa on Northcote Point, the Onepoto and Tank Farm volcanoes, O’Neill’s Point Cemetery in Bayswater, the Northcote War Memorial and the Catholic Churches in Takapuna and Devonport. Both these churches have exceptional architecture. The Takapuna church also has a direct association with world peace.

Careful planning is necessary regarding ferry times to Northcote, also the detail of the walking route should have been checked out in advance by any nominated leader of the pilgrimage. More historical and planning information is available from Greg Smith, ph 524-2926.

St Georges Epsom

A Tang of Salt

This is a straightforward pilgrimage from Devonport to Long Bay. Approximate distance is 19 kilometres. The route is variable depending on how much actual coastal walking you wish to do. Organisation and preparation are essential especially if you wish to stay the night at the Vaughan Park Anglican Centre at Long Bay. This can round off the pilgrimage well particularly with its beautiful Ruatara Chapel and the comfortable accommodation.

It is strongly recommended that one pilgrim lead the group who will have done the walk in advance and be familiar with the connections between coast and road that you will need to make. They will also have familiarised themselves with the tide timetable. Failing this a straight walk along the main roads from Devonport to Long Bay is also worthwhile, especially Beach Road as it goes up and down following the various East Coast bays

Suggested start is the Esplanade Hotel in Devonport. A coffee there and some itinerary planning for the group is time well spent. Takapuna Beach and the coastal walk to Milford should definitely be included. Mt Victoria and its notable graves also worth a look. Take plenty of time to ponder Rangitoto which is a constant landmark of the walk. Being a shield volcano the view of it changes little as you move up the coast, which is probably why it is one of the most defining landscape images of Auckland. Enjoy the marine elements this pilgrimage offers: beaches, cliffs, waves, rocks, yachts, ships ,etc and take in the sea air.

St Georges Epsom

Plague and Pestilence

This pilgrimage, advertised in a tentative way, is largely a repeat of the one we walked in August 2020. There are some changes to the route. Because we are still in the middle of the pandemic we shall not be calling in at St Andrews Anglican Church. Please watch the website for any postponement of this walk.

The destination remains the communal grave at Waikumete for many of the Auckland victims of the 1918 Spanish influenza. People are invited to reflect on that pandemic and the current one, keeping in mind that we are not out of trouble yet. Illness in its many forms is a common theme in the Bible. How are we to evaluate it? Punishment or an inevitability of life.

The pilgrimage starts at St Georges and journeys to the seaward end of Oakley Creek. A packed lunch will be eaten here with an opportunity for people to look at the little- known industrial archaeology of this site. From here we journey by bus to Waikumete and return by train from Glen Eden station.

On this pilgrimage more time will be spent in the cemetery itself. You will be shown some of its notable graves and its now unusual denominational layout. This comes from the era when it was safely assumed that the majority of people had some Christian faith. There was a small area for non-believers and other faiths. It is hard to conceive a cemetery being laid out in this way today.

The pilgrimage will be concluded with drinks at the Halifax Institute. Walking notes will be sent to those participating. Booking is essential. Phone Greg Smith  09 524-2926

St Georges Epsom

Towards Reconciliation

This pilgrimage is advertised now but in a tentative way. Covid pandemic problems may necessitate its being postponed. Participants should watch this website.

In some part this journey has already been done in the long walk to Selwyn’s Rest on the Bombay Hill. For this pilgrimage we shall be catching the train to Manurewa and starting the walk from there. A lot of it will be along the new coastal walkway to Papakura, then on the Great South Road to Drury and on to Aroha Cottage which is the destination. Walking time is estimated at four hours.

Because of Covid we shall not be entering any churches or other institutions. However, we will focus on Hoani Tapu, formerly the Anglican Church of St John, where we will look at its exterior and historic graveyard. This church along with Aroha Cottage and its special military history are two pieces of local architecture that existed before the New Zealand Land Wars starting in 1863.

The role of the Anglican Church in the war was controversial and divisive. Are we only moving toward reconciliation now? The Christian faith was already well established in many areas later to be engulfed in the war. Some churches like St Brides at Mauku and Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church were the scenes of actual fighting. How do we look at the Land Wars now?

Dinner will be served at Aroha Cottage and transport arranged for walkers back to our starting point at St Georges. Walking notes will be sent to those participating nearer the time. Registration is essential. Ph Greg  Smith  09 524-2926

St Georges Epsom

Christmas Pilgrimage

Guide Us To Thy Perfect Light

This is an Advent pilgrimage. It has perhaps a more intentionally reflective quality than some of the other walks.

Journeying is a strong part of the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The shepherds left their flocks and came to town. The magi journeyed from afar in the east. Also, still an important part of the story, is the perilous journey to Egypt after Christ’s birth.

Following this theme of journeying we too shall set out to find the Christ Child. The walking time of our journey is not all that long, approximately three to four hours. There will be three reflective pauses. We start at the Cathedral in Parnell and finish at St George’s, Epsom, having travelled in a semi-circular way via Mt Wellington. The second half of the journey is done by train from Panmure.

This walk has a strong scenic element. It follows paths around the Remuera and Orakei Basin foreshore. There is also a very pleasant walk up through Purewa Cemetery. A small talk will be given on the history of this interesting place and some notable graves. The pilgrimage also includes a small look at the grounds and chapel of St Johns College. The views from Mt Wellington/Maungarei are some of the best in Auckland.

St Georges Epsom

“I look to the mountains; where will my help come from?”

This is an interesting pilgrimage based on the city’s volcanic heritage. Auckland is unique in that it is a city built on a monogenetic volcanic field. There has not been just one recurring volcano like Mount Vesuvius. In Auckland, each eruption has occurred in a different location. There are now approximately fifty-five separate volcanoes. This makes a special landscape which can be enjoyed from the summits of those mountains.

With all these volcanoes it is impossible in this city not to be mindful of the huge fiery forces that have created and undergird the topography. While this makes for a beautiful landscape it is one that provokes thought about the power of creation and man’s almost puny role in it. Even though we have quarried away some mountains there always remains the possibility that further eruptions will form new ones and destroy us and our past endeavours in the process. The volcanic cones of Auckland give us much to ponder from a creation and spiritual perspective.

This pilgrimage has been designed to be a day event, both starting and finishing at the church. We move one by one around seven maunga – Te Kopuke/Mt St John, Ohinerau/Mt Hobson, Maungawhau/Mt Eden, Te Tatua a Riukuta/Big King, Owairaka/Mt Albert, Puketapapa/Mt Roskill, and Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill. The general aim is to climb each volcano from one side and descend from another, then move on to the next.

Obviously, this pilgrimage can be very flexible in terms of the numbers of volcanoes you wish to climb and where you want to start the journey from. Good planning beforehand is essential. We would encourage pilgrims to ponder especially the landscape values of the maunga and the pre-eminent early Maori occupation. Use your imagination and envisage what Tamaki Makaurau used to look like in the past. Auckland has been a major settlement long before the Treaty of Waitangi. Reflect on the interconnection of the two great harbours and their importance for the city’s entire development. It is only when you are on top of the maunga that you can understand well the totality of this urban creation. Certainly, there are more birds-eye views like the Skytower, but the maunga give both a view and a connection with the land. There is better physical appreciation of this special place.

St Georges Epsom

Change and Continuity

The destination of this pilgrimage is the Cedar Centre in Tramway Road, Beach Haven. This is the Anglican Church for the district. At approximately 14 kilometres this is one of the shorter walks, but there is more hill walking in it than some of the others. The pilgrimage starts from the Auckland Ferry Building with a pleasant excursion across to Birkenhead.

Any organisation, or indeed society generally, will be faced with change. The Church is no exception. The art of the matter is how to effect change, while keeping some continuity with the past. Total severance with the past will usually not achieve the positive outcome that is being sought.

On this pilgrimage we follow the path of the St Peters Chelsea Chapel which has existed in three locations over its 135 year history. When changing demographics have made it not feasible at one location then it has been shifted to the next., but all the while continuing its church function for the community.

With Auckland’s rapid growth and changing population many church buildings no longer have a secure future in their current locations. The challenge will be whether they can be incorporated into some new religious structure and use. The moving of this chapel represents that ideal and gives something positive to reflect on. The past and the people associated with it are not abandoned but carried forward.

Walking notes with more details about the route and the history along the way are available: email This  pilgrimage has the pleasant advantage of being able to take a ferry trip back down the Waitemata for its conclusion.

St Georges Epsom

Endurance or Muscular Christianity

The destination is the Selwyn Monument on the Bombay Hill, South Auckland. This is an all day walk of approximately 45 kilometers leaving from St George’s Anglican Church, Epsom.

The cairn at Bombay marks the place where Bishop Selwyn spent his first night when walking from Auckland down into the Waikato. He slept among the puriri trees that still surround the monument. Being a half- way point to the Waikato it was also a logical place for him to choose for St Stephen’s Maori Boys College nearby.

The bishop was a man of great physical endurance that typifies the foundation of so much of Christianity in New Zealand. It is interesting that General Franco in re-establishing the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage saw a need for a ”muscular Spanish Catholic nationalism”.

Essentially this pilgrimage is a walk straight down the Great South Road. It is not a rural walk until you get to the last quarter. The history of this route is what lends it strength and meaning. There is much to be examined along the way, which is covered in the walking notes, especially the New Zealand Wars.

A good point to ponder is whether New Zealand nationhood was formed here, not the killing fields of Gallipoli and Flanders. Was it the Land Wars or the battles of the First World War that have shaped this country, especially in terms of how Maori and Europeans have approached one another and the country’s subsequent development?

A further point is that the Church was already strongly in evidence in the landscape before any fighting began. What has been its influence?

This pilgrimage requires the walkers to be met at the end as there is no easy return by public transport. For those wishing to visit the Selwyn Chapel in Papakura, Hoani Tapu at Drury and Aroha Cottage, this should be arranged in advance.

Of special importance. Most of the walk is on public footpath with controlled intersections. However, after Drury special care must be taken because you are walking on the side of the road. Visibility vests should be worn and extreme care should be taken at Drury, crossing the Waiuku Road to get back onto the Great South Road.

Walking notes and more about the route are available for this pilgrimage. Email These are updated periodically as changes or improvements to the route are made.

St Georges Epsom

Northern Bound Pilgrimage- next steps

The northern pilgrimages are now made up of a couple days walking using the Te Araroa ( long pathway) trail in the main, to journey toward our destination – Rangihoua. As we are so far from Auckland ( our last pilgrimage finished at Matapouri on the Tutukaka coast )  we need more time allocated to just getting to the next starting point and getting safely home.
Our next pilgrimage north will have some more beautiful northern beaches to enjoy as we head from Matapouri to Whananaki.

You can stay in the comfortable motels at Whananaki Holiday Park – and have  plenty of time to get to know the history of the local peoples as you continue to walk  both the off road coastal tracks and the Te Araroa trail.

Please email us at – if you’re interested this leg of the journey and we will give you more detailed information.

St Georges Epsom

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