Ratana celebrations of the birthday of the founder of the Ratana Church, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.
Ratana celebrations of the birthday of the founder of the Ratana Church, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.
The annual Ratana Church celebrations, which start Monday, have special significance this year.
Apart from the usual appearance of the national politicians, this is the church's centennial year with a massive celebration being planned for November.
Piri Rurawhe, secretary-general of the church, said the marae will be a hive ofactivity through until Friday.
The hui starts on Sunday with visitors being welcomed onto the marae. Among them are the Children's Commissioner and representatives of the main churches.
Church members from north of Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington will be welcomed in the afternoon.
"We're encouraging our people to be here before the other guests arrive," Mr Rurawhe said.
On Tuesday Maori leaders will be welcomed with representatives of the Maori Women's Welfare League first up at 9am. They will be followed by Sir Tumu Te Heu Heu Tukino, eighth paramount chief of the Ngāti Tūwharetoa tribe and leaders of the Ringatu Church. Around noon the Maori Party will be welcomed, followed at 2pm by Māori King Tuheitia.
Wednesday is the day when the nation's attention turns to the small Maori settlement near Turakina. It's the day when media coverage ramps up because that's when the major political parties turned up.
Massed bands will head the procession with the Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy first onto the marae at 10am. An hour later Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrives along with representatives of the Labour, NZ First and Green parties. Early afternoon Opposition leader Bill English and his National team will be welcomed.
Mr Rurawhe said Wednesday was the key day for Ratana followers with the major church service the main focus before celebrations wind up on Friday, January 26.
He said another feature of the week would be a youth village with an entertainment marquee and sports on three days.
"We got a careers expo organised and Police and Defence Force will have displays there along with other organisations."
But he said while this week was important to the church, it would be November this year when the celebrations would go to another level.
"We've been promoting the centennial for the last few years and it will be huge. We're expecting upward of 150,000 people here for those very special celebrations," Mr Rurawhe said.
