On 13 January 1838 Jean Baptiste Pompallier, who later became the first bishop of Aotearoa New Zealand, arrived in the Hokianga (Northland) where he celebrated the first Catholic Mass on this land. His arrival was the result of pleas by Thomas and Mary Poynton who had settled in New Zealand and had to travel across the Tasman Sea to get their children baptised in Sydney.
Every year, around the day of the anniversary of this date, Mass is celebrated at Totara Point to remember this special occasion. For this year’s jubilee year, the Year of Hope, a bus was organised by the Diocese to take pilgrims from Auckland to Totara Point.

The Readings in 2025 fit very well: the Reading about John the Baptist baptising Jesus which started his active ministry. Jean Baptiste Pompallier certainly started an active ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand.
During the service the about 300 participants were blessed with Holy Water which included water from the Hokianga.
After Mass, those who were able to walk up the hill, walked up to the site where the home of the Poyntons used to stand.