We ask God’s continued guidance and grace to guide us to our destinations and to be returned safely to loved ones.

E te whānau, kia ārahina rā tātou i runga i te ara o te rangimārie, o te ora, o te pai. Mā te te Atua kaha rawa, te Atua o ngā atawhai tātou e arahina. E te Atua e īnoi ana mātou ki ā koe, kia tiakina mātou i tēnei tō mātou haere.

Haere mai e te Ariki, hei hoa haere mō mātou i tō mātou haerere. Whakatapua tēnei waka me ngā iwi katoa o runga. Tonoa iho ngā tohu pai hei arataki i a mātou mai ō mātou wā kāinga, tae atu ki ngā wāhi kei mua, he mea tauhou, he mea waia rānei, ko koe te kaihautu matua e Pā. Nā reira e te Atua māu anō hoki mātou e whakahoki ora mai ki ō mātou kāinga, whānau hoki. Mā Te Atua, Tama, Wairua Tapu tēnei haerenga e whakahaumarumaru ai. Āmine.

This travel prayer asks God to look after those undertaking a journey. 

Jesus’ ministry involved lots of travel by foot over all sorts of terrain, from the temple and marketplaces to the desert. the lakes, rivers and seas. Jesus travelled extensively throughout Jerusalem and the Holy Lands with his disciples who carried on his teachings and took those same lessons out into unknown territories.

Our state highways are vital for the movement of people, and the delivery of goods and services to the whole country. In recent times we have been faced with the devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle, the rising cost of all products, and the uncertainty of road works. All factors influence whether we decide to travel by car, or plane or opt for the comfortable option of a Zoom meeting from home. Our thoughts are with those in the Tairawhiti, Taihauauru, Heretaunga, Wairoa and the Taitokerau regions in recent times, as they navigated reconnecting with the wider country. For some, no power, no access to supports, and even the inability to move out of the precarious position that flood waters left them in was totally disempowering. Travel was impossible, for many; they just had to wait.

In early April, Hui Pōari gathered at Parirau marae, Matakohe district on State Highway 12 north of Auckland situated in Te Uri o Hau of Ngāti Whatua territory. The gathering of Te Taha Māori members offered an opportunity to reconnect with one another. Most members travelling from Otautahi, Poneke, Taranaki, Waikato, and Tamaki experienced re-routing and long delays getting out of Auckland City to head north for the meeting. Everyone experienced the pot-holed northern roads affected by the flooding damage. It was healing to connect in person and share the many stories of the journey to Parirau, as well as the stories of whānau in isolated communities who have been unable to use their roads. Reflecting on our journeys, both real and metaphorical, brought together the different experiences and voices of Te Taha Māori. The healing power of whakawhanaungatanga, being in connection with one another and the deepening of relationships, can never be underestimated.

With Emmaus eyes let us reflect on travelling on our roads with a deep appreciation for what we have lost and a deeper appreciation for what we still have. May we be more mindful of our driving behaviours and the need for greater patience and compassion for others also travelling on our roads. And as we journey in our various fields of endeavour, may we keep uppermost in our minds that we take Christ as our travel guide and companion in all that we do and say.