Ratana hui reflects choice of morehu not a split in ranks
The birth of the founder of the largest Maori church will be celebrated at three different hui this month.
The six parishes of Muriwhenua in Northland will host a ceremony from January 23-25 at Te Kao.
In a social media post, Auckland Apotoro Kereama Pene urged morehu or Ratana followers to “push the reset button at Te Kao and see the North arise”. The hui is also expected to discuss arrangements for an overseas trip recreating Ratana’s world tour of 1924.
Bay of Plenty parishes from Tauranga, Rotorua, Te Puke and Whakatane are also holding their own celebration on January 25 at Mangatawa in Tauranga, near Tamapahore marae.
Kıngi Tuheitia is expected to travel to Ratana Pa near Whanganui for the annual commemoration of Ratana’s birthday, where he will present the response of a national hui of unity he is hosting next week. Politicians from the National-led coalition government and the Opposition are also expected to attend the event.
The Northland and Ratana Pa hui reflect a split in the movement, which resulted in two leaders or Tumuaki, last year.
Manuao Tamou was appointed by members based at Ratana Pa, and Andre Meihana was elected by Te Rohe o Piriwiritua, made up of 16 parishes affiliated to the church.
Both men are descendants of Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana, who predicted the leadership split in a prophecy made about 90 years ago, saying “There shall rise two Tumuaki from among the ranks of the people”.
But an online Ratana Church newsletter from Te Tari o Te Haahi said the “separate hui are not in competition with commemorations at Ratana Pa ” and reflected the choice of church members “to celebrate in their own unique ways in their own rohe [area]”.
The newsletter stated that in previous years, hui celebrating Ratana’s birthday and Te Waru o Noema — the anniversary of Ratana’s holy vision on November 8 — have also taken place outside of Ratana.
According to the 2018 Census data there are 43,281 morehu, or followers, of the Ratana church.