Story: Rātana Church – Te Haahi Rātana

Te Temepara Tapu o Ihoa

Te Temepara Tapu o Ihoa (the holy temple of Jehovah) remains the focal point of life at Rātana Pā, and is a kind of Mecca for ngā mōrehu (the scattered remnant, Rātana's name for his followers). It contains within it the symbolism of the entire Rātana cosmology. Replicas of the temple have been built around the country. The first was Te Whare Whakamoemiti (the house of thanks) in Raetihi. Ngā Tapuwae o Te Māngai (the footsteps of the mouthpiece) is in Te Kao and commemorates Rātana's journey there in 1920. Another is Te Reo Pōwhiri (the welcoming voice), and recalls Rātana's journey to the far north in 1929.

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How to cite this page:

Keith Newman, 'Rātana Church – Te Haahi Rātana - Church growth', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/26303/te-temepara-tapu-o-ihoa (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Keith Newman, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 4 Apr 2018