Rātana Church

In 1918, the son of Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana—a champion plowman and wheat stacker—fell terribly ill. As Rātana fasted and prayed, he had a series of visions that he was meant to heal and free the Māori people from misguided beliefs. His son miraculously recovered, cementing Rātana’s reputation as a healer. So many people flocked to him for teachings and healing that his farm became a small town: Rātana Pā.

Rātana established his own church, opening a temple on his fifty-fifth birthday, January 25, 1928. At the opening, he stated that his spiritual mission was complete, and believers would continue his work to shape New Zealand by combining Māori spirituality, Christianity, and political  activism.

In 1935, Rātana’s son became a Labour Member of Parliament. By 1943, all four Māori seats were held by Rātana MPs—a tradition that endured for fifty years.

Five temples, all reproductions of the original, have been built, including this one on a hilltop in Raetihi. Twin towers complete the replica, along with the faith’s main symbol: a five-pointed star and gold crescent moon.  The colors of the star honor the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with purple representing ngā Anahera Pono (the faithful angels).

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