A Journey of Faith and Roots: Marist Educators Gather for the annual Hokianga Hīkoi
- maristbrothers
- 2 hours ago
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Last year, Champagnat Marist educators across Aotearoa New Zealand began a significant initiative to reconnect with their spiritual and historical roots: the Hokianga Hīkoi. This inaugural journey to the Far North explored the birthplace of Catholicism and the Marist mission in Aotearoa, dating back to 1838.
At its heart, the hīkoi (journey or pilgrimage) is grounded in a clear purpose: to offer educators the opportunity to encounter the sacred places and stories that shaped the beginnings of the Catholic Marist mission in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In April 2026, a new group of educators returned to the north, deepening this connection and continuing the story. The three-day hīkoi took place from 19–21 April, bringing together participants from across the Marist network. Daniel Dungey, Partnership Coordinator for New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa and Kiribati, reflects on this year’s experience.
Kaupapa (Purpose)
To provide Champagnat Marist educators with an opportunity to encounter the sacred places and stories that shaped the birth of the Catholic Marist mission in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Hīkoi (Shared Journey)
Sunday 19 April
Travel Day – Kororāreka/Russell to Kaikohe
Our Auckland based pilgrims met at Marcellin College at 8am where the St John’s College van, courtesy of Shane Tong and his community, awaited under the patronage of Mary and our driver, Jackie Smith. An equally early start was being made across the motu as pilgrims from Chanel College, Masterton made their way to Kerikeri and were welcomed by our prior arrivals from St Peter’s College and our mighty Marist men in Brothers Bryan, Martin and Luke (via Tudella, Sri Lanka) driving the Marcellin College van courtesy of Kieran Fouhy and his community. At 1pm we came together as one, in person for the first time, following a prior zoom ‘meet and greet’ connection.
As we made our way to Paihia for lunch we acknowledged the historic site of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. At a leisurely pace we boarded the passenger ferry to our nation’s first capital (original name Okiato) in Kororāreka /Russell, witnessed our first legal pub, The Duke, then entered the grounds of Pompallier Mission & Printery, Aotearoa’s oldest Roman Catholic and rammed earth building.
Our passionate tour guide, Whaea Dawn of Pompallier Mission, led our tour from 2.30pm-3.30pm as we explored the historic printery established by Bishop Pompallier and his team of Marist Missionaries in 1841-1842. Our pilgrims captured the rich tradition of storytelling associated with this extraordinary place where close to 40,000 leather-bound religious books in te reo Māori were produced.
Acknowledgement was made of the challenges and hurt of our pioneering Marist Brother, Br Michel Colombon commissioned by Fr Marcellin Champagnat to Aotearoa New Zealand, and those that followed in the ‘first wave’ of Marist Missionaries from France. A visit to the national shrine of St Peter Chanel who was martyred in Futuna was met by a wero from Br Bryan to keep his story alive in all our kura’s. A fitting tribute for our three staff in Nigel, Ashely and Sally from Chanel College, Masterton.
The day concluded in Kaikohe, where the group gathered for shared kai (food). Like Marcellin and the early brothers, they experienced the simple but profound joy of community around the table.
Monday 20 April
Rawene - Motuti - Totara Point - Kaikohe
The new day begun with a hearty breakfast onsite at our accommodation base in Kaikohe before making our way to Rawene for the 9.30am ferry crossing. We had two local Champagnat Marists from the north join us in Brendan Johnson and Graham Stanaway which added to the new day. As we made our way to St Mary’s Catholic Church in Motuti we were hanging on every word from Br Bryan as he shared his ‘local knowledge and wisdom’ for the benefit of us all.
Deacon Ben Pomare, Hato Petera Old Boy and returning local from Panguru after 30 years away, joined us at this sacred site at Motuti and we experienced the deep connection to our founding story. Bishop Pompallier’s casket was raised as the catholic waiata Mo Maria, composed by Pompallier, was sung by our pilgrims.
Time stood still. Stories flowed.
We made our way to Tamatea Marae and Raiātea Motuti Resource & Archive Centre (opened 23 April 2022), however, a lost key meant the van engines remained warm! The hapū-owned and operated twostory museum not only cares for local treasures but also doubles as a research centre. Most items in the collection - which include Māori and Polynesian artefacts and objects relating to the history of the Catholic church in New Zealand - were collected by the late Pā Henare Tate over a period of 30 years.
A must for any future hikoi!
A late lunch took place overlooking the Hokianga Harbour at Kohukohu before arriving at Totara Point. In 2025 our pilgrims encountered a ‘work site’ as a restoration project led by Fr Maliu 'Otutaha, Panguru Parish Priest and his team of stone masons and labourers from the Tongan Catholic Community.
The restoration project is to benefit future pilgrims to the first catholic mass site here at Totara Point, Hokianga in Aotearoa New Zealand. To add to its significance, Jeanavieve Pome’e (DRS, Marcellin College) had placed a stone on our behalf to acknowledge our pioneering Marists, all those who have gone before us, the present and future of those who not only preserve but enhance our Champagnat Marist Mission on these shores.
This was not lost on our 2026 group.
An inspired group returned by ferry to Rawene and onto Kaikohe to absorb a very full and rich day in the Hokianga. A special day with special people concluded with personal group
sharing of what this hikoi had meant to each and every member. Like the previous evening, gathered around the same table remains as symbolic in 1817 as it does in 2026.
Tuesday 21 April
Reflection and Departure
A special taonga was shared in the way of ‘Te Wa’ (The Time) a resource prepared for future pilgrims that originated from our own Marist Brothers Hikoi to the Far North in 1988 to commemorate the 150 years of the arrival of Bishop Pompallier and the first Marists, among them our very own, Br Michel Colombon, to establish the Catholic Church in Oceania. Our collective hope is this resource supports our pilgrims and their communities on their journey of renewal and discovery.
It is with deep thanks and gratitude to everyone involved that enabled us all to set out on and complete a deeply touching Hikoi experience. There were so many special features within this whole experience. Our pilgrim group were so very open to each experience along the way and searching for deeper understandings:
• Br Bryan Stanaway, in sharing out of his personal and lived experiences touched on such
depths behind the factual details.
• Br Martin Pattison, for his authentic Marist Hospitality and amazing preparation of our kai.
• Above all the Holy Spirit enabled each encounter to have a very special feeling about it, even when we were unsure what to expect.
We are all so grateful to having been part of it.
View more pics from Day 1
View more pics from Day 2
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