Rātana pā

Rātana pā is a town in the North Island of New Zealand, near Wanganui and Marton in the Manawatu-Wanganui region, which developed around the Ratana church there. It is a site of pilgrimage for the Maori followers of the Ratana faith. Due to the importance of the Ratana movement in New Zealand politics, leading New Zealand politicians often attend annual gatherings at Rātana pā. Every January 25, members of the Ratana Church converge to Ratana Pa to celebrate the birth of its founder Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana. This annual gathering lasts for a week. The highlight of the week is the Temple Service on the 25th of January. Usually, Members of Parliament (MPs) converge to the Pa on the 24th to talk and gain Maori votes for election time.