Walk for the Planet takes in Bluff-Invercargill leg

JOHN HAWKINS/138491

CRUSADE: From left, Jeffrey Love, Mark Gibson and Judith Robinson leading an interdenominational church walk to raise awareness of environmental issues on Saturday at Awarua, near Bluff.

Relevant offers

The traditional day of rest yesterday was just that for a hikoi destined to raise awareness of what its organiser describes as a "growing ecological crisis".

Christchurch Methodist minister the Rev Mark Gibson is leading a 945-kilometre pilgrimage to highlight the environment as part of an interdenominational church event called Walk for the Planet.

Launched on Stewart Island on February 24 to coincide with Shrove Tuesday, the walkers have so far covered Stewart Island and walked around Bluff Hill before the serious walking started on Saturday, covering Bluff to Invercargill.

Yesterday marked a rest day in Invercargill with a community walk and cleanup along the banks of the Waihopai River, followed by an ecumenical service at All Saints Anglican Church.

Mr Gibson said the walk was taking place during the 40 days of Lent, and would conclude in Wellington on April 12.

The walk followed State Highway 1 and walkers would share stories of hope and raise awareness along the way, he said. The six Sundays during Lent will be used as rest days, when the group will share communion and hope with communities.

The idea for a Walk for the Planet had grown out of discussions on global warming and the greening of the church at the Methodist Church's South Island School of Theology in March last year, Mr Gibson said.

While the initiative has come from the Methodist Church, he said it was an ecumenical movement and one that people outside the churches would support.

Walks to create political and social change had been a worthy tradition in both Christianity and New Zealand.

"Jesus made the long walk to Jerusalem to challenge the soul of his nation, while notable walks in New Zealand include the 1975 Maori Land March and the 1998 Hikoi of Hope."

The walk is expected to finish on the steps of Parliament, where demands for stronger environment policies would be presented to the Government, he said.

The event will reach Cathedral Square in Christchurch on March 28, in time for Earth Hour. 

- © Fairfax NZ News