Chester Borrows: Respect, the mark of Ratana

Chester Borrows

AGAIN, I have been privileged to be part of a group welcomed to Ratana Pa for the annual celebrations -- an occasion made more special by the presence of our new Prime Minister.

Many people ask: "But what is Ratana?"

Obviously, it is a place name and the name of the movement or faith that was founded by Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana and named after him.

The celebrations acknowledge his birthday and, as part of that, politicians are privileged to come along to a public forum and chew over the issues of the day.

It is something to be really proud of in our own patch and the first opportunity in the new year to feed hungry media after a politically starved holiday season. Nobody is sucking up -- it is a cards-on-the-table, no-holds-barred, state-of-the-Maori-nation debate.

I think it's all about respect, choice and consensus, about being humble and appreciative about what we value.

Nearly a century ago, T.W. Ratana set out a vision of preaching the gospel and curing the spirits and bodies of his people. That vision may have morphed through several incarnations through the generations but the essence of the day at Ratana remains unchanged as the spotlight of the nation puts its critical glare on the little settlement beneath its tohu of the five-pointed star and crescent moon.

Ratana secretary Piri Rurawahe spoke of the choice made to invite Bill English a day earlier than other politicians "because all are welcome at Ratana Pa, irrespective of the colour of their skin", and so gave the opportunity for the PM to set out the Government's plans for the next 12 months.

The Prime Minister, just six weeks into his new role, began his reply in quite fluent Maori and without notes. He was, later, typically humble about this aspect of his address, but it was both pragmatically and symbolically respectful on a very important day and served to launch his journey as our top statesman with consensus at the top of the agenda.

Also, what he covered was insightful and poignant.

An example was how he spoke of tackling the housing issue "street by street, house by house or auntie by auntie"; or -- in a reference to Waitangi Day celebrations -- making it clear that Waitangi was not the only place where conversations about Maori issues could be aired.

Subsequent events and media coverage make me wonder what some people think Ratana is.

I am quite sure that it is not an opportunity for grandstanding, confrontation or arguing.

Most New Zealanders (and that's a considered term I use) are now much more discerning over race relations matters and are quite quick to spot what some people use such occasions for.

There are inevitable tensions in any situations like these, but I think that on Monday this week Ratana celebrations were way better than bickering; people listened and respected each other and, for that reason, I was privileged to be there.

The celebrations, games, church services, speeches and the atmosphere generally of the event are an experience New Zealand should understand.

Its pertinence to New Zealand is far more obvious that the high jinks at Te Tii Marae on the day before Waitangi. Ngapuhi could learn a lot from Ratana.