Join us live as iwi arrive for Rātana celebrations.
Rātana began in 1918 when Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana had a vision to unite Māori through faith and politics. The movement became influential, blending Christianity with te ao Māori and forming a political alliance with Labour, shaping Māori rights in Aotearoa.
The annual Rātana celebrations mark the start of the political year in Aotearoa, drawing leaders to engage with iwi and acknowledge the movement’s legacy of Māori advocacy in politics.
The brass band Ngā Reo o Rātana guides manuhiri onto Rātana Pā, acting as kaiwero. It clears the way, making the marae ātea a safe space. Their music is said to echo the sound of Tikitiki-o-Rangi from the 12th heaven.
Tumu Heuheu of Ngāti Tūwharetoa is arriving today, alongside Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.
Follow our live updates below.
3:25PM
That concludes Day one of Rātana 2025. Join us again at 8am tomorrow for Day two.
3:20PM
With Te Matatini a little more than a month away, Tā Herewini Parata talks about the upcoming event.
He shared the progress on the preparations is now evident with Te Matatini and Te Kāhui Maunga ready to welcome visitors from across the country in late February.
3pm
Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po has arrived at Rātana.
2:40pm
Christie Wallace spoke to Awa FM reporter Te Kakenga Kawiti-Bishara, highlighting the best parts of living and growing up in Rātana.
“I feel very fortunate growing up here knowing that my mum didn’t have that experience.”
2:17pm
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has arrived a day before all her political counterparts.
Speaking to Te Ao Māori News reporter Riria Dalton-Reedy, Ngarewa-Packer said the plans for her party this year is to make sure the current coalition is a one term government.
“We have lots of whakaaro we want to do to be able to improve upon those lifes and end the poverty, be able to stop the way this governments been looking after the super rich and leaving our whānau behind.”
But the co-leader added that the biggest political event this year for te ao Māori was Te Matatini, which is happening in late Feburary in Taranaki.
“I know that everyone thinks that it’s about [Christopher] Luxon and David Seymour but actually the biggest politics for te ao Māori is Te Matatini.
“What are we wearing? How big is the stage, is it big enough? Who’s getting into the final twelve? And koirā te ahua o tā tatou pūtake mō tō tātou reo, mō tā tātou mokopuna is to put our own kaupapa first and i think that is our biggest objective is to actually tpo celebrate our own politics.”
2:00pm
We’re partnering with Aukaha News, Te Reo o te Uru, Awa FM and Te Karere to bring you live coverage of the afternoon celebrations and pōwhiri at Rātana Pā.
You can watch live here:
11:20am
That concludes the morning pōwhiri for Day 1 of Rātana 2025. Join us again at 2pm for the afternoon celebrations.
11:01am
Te Tai Tokerau Āpōtoro and Te Reo participant Jacob Tobin reflects on this year’s Rātana celebration.
Speaking to Te Karere’s Te Okiwa McLean, he says that despite ongoing tensions, unity can still be seen throughout the church across Aotearoa
10:40am
Shiloh Goldsworth on what it takes to be a mōrehu.
10:25am
Te Aroha Hakaraia (Mōrehu) comes to Rātana Pā for annual celebrations almost every year.
She says her nanny was a big influence on her belief in the Rātana faith, and reflects on the interwoven history her whānau shares with the church.
9:52am
You can watch live here:
9:43am
Mōrena and welcome to our live updates.
We’re partnering with Aukaha News, Te Reo o te Uru, Awa FM and Te Karere to bring you coverage from Rātana Pā.
