First light over the Pacific coast of Aotearoa New Zealand

Pilgrimage New Zealand · Two Islands

Two Islands. Two Journeys. One Invitation.

From first light on the Pacific to twilight on the Tasman, each Waypoints pilgrimage crosses the land from east to west, creating space to slow down, listen deeply and become attentive to the Presence of God.

Not a Tour. A Pilgrimage.

The Outer Journey Opens Space for an Inner One.

We travel slowly. We stop often. We make room for silence, scripture, conversation and wonder. The landscape becomes part of the invitation.

Choose Your Path

Which Journey Is Calling You?

North Island Pilgrimage

Sacred Waters

Māhia → Te Urewera / Whirinaki → Rotorua → Central Plateau → Whanganui River → Kai Iwi Beach

A journey shaped by water, forest and fire.

3-day pilgrimage

Explore North Island

South Island Pilgrimage

Deep Calls to Deep

Christchurch / Rāpaki → Arthur’s Pass → Lake Brunner → Hokitika

A journey shaped by depth, spaciousness and wonder.

2-day pilgrimage + Day 3 return home

Explore South Island

Whichever Path You Take

The Same Invitation

  • Small Groups

    We travel in a small community, allowing space for companionship and solitude.

  • Gentle Journeying

    Vehicle-based travel, short walks and regular pauses.

  • Contemplative Rhythm

    Silence, scripture, prayer and reflection are woven naturally through the journey.

  • Spacious Accompaniment

    No pressure to manufacture an experience or arrive at an answer.

Come as you are. The pilgrimage will meet you there.
Col Salisbury outdoors in the Aotearoa landscape

Meet Your Guide

Kia ora, I’m Col.

I’m a spiritual director and contemplative practitioner based in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Waypoints grew from my own experience of pilgrimage, prayer and the landscapes of Aotearoa, and from a growing conviction that sometimes we need to step away from the noise of ordinary life to notice the Presence that has been with us all along.

My role on these journeys isn’t to provide answers or manufacture spiritual experiences.

It is simply to hold the space, accompany the journey, and help us pay attention.

I’ll be making the pilgrimage alongside you.
More about Col and Spiritual Direction

A Day on the Road

Spacious by Design

  1. 01

    First Light

    The day opens facing east, in silence, before the road begins.

  2. 02

    Journey

    We travel west through changing country, unhurried, with room to look.

  3. 03

    Pause

    We stop where the landscape asks us to. Beside water, beneath trees.

  4. 04

    Table

    Meals are shared, and conversation belongs to the pilgrimage as much as silence does.

  5. 05

    Twilight

    As the day closes, we reflect on what we have noticed and received.

Choosing Your Journey

Perhaps One Landscape Is Already Calling You

  • North Island

    Water, ancient forest, rivers, geothermal landscapes and the volcanic heart of the island.

  • South Island

    Mountains, deep water, expansive landscapes and the crossing of the Southern Alps.

If you're not sure, get in touch and we can help you discern which journey might be a good place to begin.

Ask About a Pilgrimage

Walking Together

With Gratitude

Waypoints has been shaped through the generosity, encouragement and partnership of organisations who have helped make this journey possible.

  • Forge Aotearoa
  • Wilberforce Foundation
  • Kiwi Church