Story: Rātana Church – Te Haahi Rātana

Te Ārepa and Te Ōmeka banner, 1930s

Te Ārepa and Te Ōmeka banner, 1930s

This banner forms a pictorial history of the Rātana movement. On the left is Te Arepa (Alpha), one of Rātana's sons, who represented the beginning of the 'ture wairua' (spiritual work). Underneath it states, 'Te timatanga o nga mahi a te mangai e tu nei te Hahi Ratana me te Temepara' (here is the beginning of the work of the prophet the Rātana Church and temple). Under this is written, '1948 Kei te Hahi 40,000' (there are 40,000 within the church) '1935'. In the centre it says, 'Haere mai e nga morehu e mauiui ana, e taimaha ana, ki to koutou temepara. Kei konei te whakaoranga a Ihoa mo koutou' (welcome to the scattered remnants who are sick and oppressed, to your temple. Here you will find Jehovah's new life). To the right is Te Omeka (Omega), another son of Rātana, who represented the end of 'te ture tangata (physical works). The text says, 'Te whakaotinga o nga mahi a Piri Wiri Tua e tu nei te ture tangata me te Tiriti o Waitangi' (the completion of the works of Piri Wiri Tua are here, the laws of people and the Treaty of Waitangi). '1928 Kei te ture 40,000' (there are 40,000 under the law) '1935'.

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Te Haahi Ratana

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How to cite this page:

Keith Newman, 'Rātana Church – Te Haahi Rātana - Founding the Rātana Church', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/26296/te-arepa-and-te-omeka-banner-1930s (accessed 20 April 2024)

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