Waikato River therapy

The Waikato River, flowing through the heart of Hamilton, is where Pastor and Media Chaplain, Frank Ritchie, heads for his regular stress-free morning walks. Ritchie made it clear how the river has a positive impact on his mental health, stating, “As the river is slightly detached from, say a suburban street, there’s a lot of nature going on. Listening to birds, you notice the different flow of the river depending on the season and how much rain there’s been, making it a relatively quiet place to spend the start of a day.”  He mentioned how after the walk, his day has a much more “even feel to it.” Walking the segment between the Whitiora Bridge and the Fairfield bridge, he notes how there is, “a lot of change and variation within that segment of the river which makes for a great walk.”

Ritchie emphasises that the history of the river is arguably the most important factor of all, stating, “Not only is walking the river peaceful and calm, but you’re connecting to identity. You’re connecting to spirituality; you’re connecting to what is essentially the lifeblood of this area and all of this history for generations.” He made the idea clear that in order to connect to the river, we need a firm understanding of the history.

Elaborating on his point, he mentioned how the river would have been used by Māori iwi, how waka would have gone up and down the river, as well as the gunships, to take over this region. He goes on to say, “Walking along the river and being triggered to remember that stuff is a really healthy thing.” Connecting to the great history will definitely work towards improving and strengthening the unity between cultures who call New Zealand home.

“Walking along the river and being triggered to remember that stuff is a really healthy thing.”

Ritchie, coming from a strong religious background, accentuated how his faith can be positively influenced by walking alongside the river. He stresses, “There’s a spirituality that speaks of God that’s held in creation, which doesn’t have any words, but it’s there.” Walking along the river, he says, is a constant reminder that we are part of a bigger picture and that God has a plan for us. He adds, “One day we will pass on, but the river will stay flowing and God will remain being God.”

Through embracing the identity of the Waikato River,  you will come to find it’s much more than just a body of water, it’s an incredible piece of our history and an opportunity for spiritual enrichment.