Why are we doing this?

There is something wrong with our human relationship with God’s wider creation. Around the world churches are hearing the call from God, through the groaning of the earth, for an urgent restoration of right relationship with the earth. The Creator is calling us to live with creation rather than against it. We see signs of ecological destruction in Aotearoa New Zealand, and believe it is time that Christian communities bear witness to the need for justice for all of creation.


Proposed Route / Journey

During the 40 days of Lent in 2009, we will journey from Rakiura (Stewart Island) to Poneke (Wellington), following the path of State Highway One. We will share stories of hope and raise awareness with each community we journey through. The six Sundays during Lent will be used as rest days, where we can share communion and hope with local communities.


Our Journey Begins

Stewart Island (Rakiura)
– on Shrove Tuesday, February 24


Main stages of the journey

  • Sunday March 1 – Invercargill
  • Sunday March 8 – Dunedin
  • Sunday March 15 – Oamaru
  • Sunday March 22 – Temuka
  • Sunday March 29 – Christchurch (Otautahi)
  • Sunday April 5 – Kaikoura (Palm Sunday)
  • Thursday April 9 – Picton (Maundy Thursday)
  • Sunday April 12 – Wellington (Easter Sunday)

We hope to have public events in other towns along the South Island’s State Highway One, and encourage other communities to organise events to coincide with our journey.


The six points of focus for the journey:

  • Healing Ourselves
  • Healing Our Communities
  • Healing Our Country
  • Healing The Land
  • Healing The Waters
  • Healing The Climate

Journey map

Click on the image to view a larger version of the map