Shearer to strengthen Ratana links today

Rino Tirkatene. Photo / Supplied

Labour leader David Shearer will seek the blessing of the Ratana movement today by telling its followers he wants to work on Labour's relationship with them to make it stronger, including more regular meetings.

Mr Shearer will be accompanied on to Ratana Pa marae by new Labour MP Rino Tirikatene, a Ratana member whose grandfather Sir Eruera was the first MP from the Ratana Movement, holding from 1932 to 1967 the southern Maori seat that Mr Tirikatene now represents.

About 20 Labour MPs are expected to attend the annual celebrations of the birthday of the movement's founder, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.

Labour has the longest links with Ratana - the alliance has lasted since the 1930s although it has been weakened by the formation of the Maori Party and, last year, the Mana Party.

Mr Shearer said he was hoping Mr Tirikatene could help to bring Labour and Ratana closer together, but said work was also needed, including more regular contact.

"What I want to be able to do is establish a much more regular and stronger relationship with the Ratana people."

Mr Tirikatene was expecting Labour to get a good reception. The party had done well in the Maori electorates at the election, reducing the Maori Party majorities and taking back Te Tai Tonga - Mr Tirikatene's seat.

"For us, it's starting the relationship again with our new leadership, so we want to go to honour the day and start the new year off with some good relationships we want to rebuild. And I can play a key role in the Ratana relationship."

However, he said debate was part of the marae and it was possible speakers aligned with other parties could use the day to make a point.

The occasion also has a personal side for Mr Tirikatene. He will walk alongside the immediate family of his aunt Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, ONZ, the former Labour Cabinet minister who died last July.

He said the whanau were attending for a kawe mate - a ceremony "taking on the memory" of Mrs Tirikatene-Sullivan, who was born and grew up at Ratana Pa.

In the past, Labour has faced some tough challenges at Ratana. In 2010, Ratana speakers challenged then party leader Phil Goff not to take the movement for granted. In 2011, he was more warmly welcomed.

About 17 MPs are also expected from National. They will be welcomed on to the marae in the afternoon, after Labour. They include Prime Minister John Key and ministers Hekia Parata and Chris Finlayson.

Several Green MPs are also expected and NZ First leader Winston Peters will visit tomorrow - the actual date of the birthday.

Mr Key will walk on to the marae alongside Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, as he has several times since National and the Maori Party went into Government together. Dr Sharples' fellow co-leader, Tariana Turia, who is a Ratana follower, sits with the hosts.

A spokeswoman said Mr Key would speak off the cuff but was likely to talk about the relationship with Ratana and Maori.

She said it was important to pay respect to the event.