Enduring attraction of Ratana

Prime Minister Helen Clark hongis Ratana Church's secretary Waka Paamer. Picture / Mark Mitchell

There is a modesty in the four items, handed over in the 1936 meeting between the head of the Ratana Church, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana, and the then Labour Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage.

Three huia feathers, representing Maori, protruding from a potato - symbolic of the land taken from Maori, leaving them unable to grow the staple crop. Pounamu (greenstone) representing Maori mana, which had also been lost. A broken gold watch, handed down to Ratana by his grandfather, representing the broken promises of the Crown. And the symbol of the Ratana church, Tahu o te Maramatanga (a pin with a star and crescent moon).

The imagery of the items, symbolising the state of Maoridom and its relationship with the Crown, was profound for Savage. It is said the items were buried with him when he died four years later.

Their meeting was held in Wellington while the country was still in the grip of the Depression. At the end of the meeting an alliance was formed between the two movements, remnants of which survive today.

Ratana wanted equality for Maori in the new society, and recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi. He wanted equal access to the unemployment benefit, and old age pension, and demanded Maori have the same rights as non-Maori to access public hospitals and the education system.

The Labour Party wanted the Ratana movement's two parliamentary seats, won in the 1935 election. Ratana joined Labour after the meeting. In 1943 the alliance took the remaining two Maori seats.

Raiti Abraham has returned to the annual celebrations at Ratana Pa, 20km south of Wanganui, held in the week of January 25, for more than 50 years. For the 70-year-old church apostle (minister) it is a time to pay homage to the founder of the Ratana faith, on the date marking Ratana's birth, 133 years earlier, at Te Kawau, near Bulls.

Abraham says it a time of spiritual replenishment for the church's morehu, or faithful, and a time to rekindle friendships with members from throughout the country. More than 30,000 visitors are expected to descend on the 109-house settlement of Ratana Pa for the five days of sports, cultural and religious activities.

"It is a time to mix and mingle, there are days of festivities but the biggest attraction for the morehu is to go to the temple. Once they have been there they can mix and mingle with a spiritual connotation.

"The temple is our Mecca. Without it the church could not function. It is a real binding aspect and tonic for the faithful."

On Tuesday Prime Minster Helen Clark and a number of the Labour Party caucus will front up for the political forum, as will leaders and MPs from several of the main political parties. For Labour, it is a time to re-affirm its alliance and to strengthen ties. For the other parties it is a chance to offer an alternative to the predominantly Maori audience, and to wave the party flag.