"We're spreading a message of love, and of hope, and forgiveness of sin," says Kim, a 57-year-old self-employed carpenter.
"Yes, I made the cross myself."
They began their incredible journey in 2015, walking between 20 - 50 kms a day during school holidays.
They have circumnavigated the country, except for a 220km stretch at Kaikoura, rendered impassable during the Kaikoura earthquake.
Kim says God told him to walk the country with his cross. "So we answered the call. The world's full of despair. People need love and hope in their lives."
Kim says it's been an eventful journey. About a dozen times people have driven straight at him. "But I held my ground and I'm still in one piece. There was a bit of praying involved too."
Asked why people did that, he shrugs his shoulders. "They like to play chicken? I'm not sure."
Other drivers have stopped for a chat - curious about the couple's quest. "We've met some very friendly and delightful people and are happy to explain our mission."
"We've heard lots of stories and been touched by them."
The hardest section of their adventure came at Bombay, Auckland.
During the height of summer and keen to avoid the motorways, Joan, who is the team navigator, chose a route along Pinnacle Hill Drive, which turned out to be very steep.
"Kim had already walked a long way and was near the end of his leg. I felt so guilty. I parked up and set out a couple of deck chairs in the shade and had a cold drink waiting for him," Joan said.
Kim laughs it off, but adds clamp ons would have been handy, so steep was the incline.
The couple will continue their hikoi next school holidays, in about ten week's time.
