Complete disarray. That’s how one person close to the internal power struggle taking place at Rātana has described it.
News broke last week that the traditional hosting of politicians on January 24, the day before the birthday of the church’s late founder, Tahupotiki Wiremu Rātana, will no longer go ahead.
Just weeks out from the celebrations, politicians including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the largest Labour Maori caucus have been uninvited, as have all other political leaders and their MPs, some of whom have attended for decades.
The day is often referred to as the start of the political year, where leaders announce promises (sometimes even policies) and do their best to convince followers of the faith, known as the Morehu, that they have Māori interests at the heart of their decision-making.
More importantly, it’s an opportunity for Māori to air their frustrations and offer viewpoints and solutions for the many systems failing their people in this country on a daily basis.
Newsroom understands the Prime Minister’s office and Labour MP and Rātana descendant Adrian Rurawhe have been heavily involved in hui to try find a way to keep the political day on track.
But when it became clear it could be overshadowed by protest, the church made the decision to pull the pin and avoid any potential embarrassment.
The fallout
While the Rātana movement itself remains healthy, with a number of churches and followers all across New Zealand right up to the far north – its spiritual home in the small settlement just 20km south of Whanganui is falling apart.
Rome itself is burning.
Rātana has three components – the executive, the church leaders and the Mason family.
All are at odds about how the movement should be led.
The spat goes back quite some way but has ramped up in the past few years as church leader Harerangi Meihana, also known as Harry Mason, has stepped back from public life due to poor health.
His son Anaru (Andre) Meihana has taken on that mantle, but those spoken to by Newsroom say he isn’t as respected by many within the church and hasn’t done enough to earn the mana the role deserves.
The executive continues to push ahead with how the church has always been run, including the leadership lineage through the Mason family, but is coming under pressure to change.
Some within the church, including more senior members, want a new structure and transformation.
The Mason family is trying to protect its family’s place and leadership within Rātana.
Adding to that are the differences between the marae trustees at Rātana, where some of the Morehu permanently reside, and the church movement.
A more recent tension that has bubbled to the surface as a result of generational change is how the movement should operate distinct from the church.
With so many arches of the community at odds and no clear resolution, the executive was forced to can the arrival of politicians, which in turn will also mean a number of media don’t attend.
The Rātana Church national executive has described the rift as unfortunate and says transformation within the church will take place.
The Morehu will still meet for celebrations without the politicians, but instead spend the time working through the issues at various hui from January 22-25.
The marriage between church and state
The relationship between Rātana and the Labour Party is the strongest of any and has a long history.
The Rātana Church was established in 1925 and 10 years later, when the first Labour government was formed under Michael Joseph Savage, an alliance was formalised with the Church in a meeting between Rātana and Prime Minister Savage in April 1936.
So any suggestion MPs shouldn’t play a part in Rātana celebrations simply ignores the fact the church has been intricately involved in politics since its early days.
Every Labour leader has met at least annually since with church leaders, and in more recent years the invite has been extended to all political leaders.
Winston Peters and New Zealand First have been attending since the party’s formation in 1993.
Ratana not alone
In many respects Rātana is just another example of an increasing number of Māori organisations and movements that are battling with leadership succession and a desire for change.
Kiingitanga – the Maori King movement – is no stranger to its people being at odds over who should be calling the shots.
While the late Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu had unanimous support, her son King Tuheitia has not enjoyed the same. With his health in question in recent years, there are also clouds over his own son and natural successor being worthy of the responsibility.
This has led to speculation over the years that Tuheitia’s cousin, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, could be in line to take over.
The land dispute at Ihumātao is another example of a split within mana whenua and the younger generation, such as Pania Newton, going to war with her elders over decision-making at the top.
Even the Māori Women’s Welfare League has been embattled with its leadership structure.
While Rātana Church can take comfort in not being the first or only group to have its internal rifts aired publicly, it’s unfortunate the timing of it coming to a head has coincided with such a symbolic day.
As Māori continue to be over-represented in almost every negative statistic it’s increasingly vital that the best interests and needs of Māori are at the forefront for political leaders and, in particular, the Government’s mind going into a new term.
Now, more than ever, Māori voices need to be heard on housing, inequality, education, health and justice – to name a few.
It’s the job of politicians to make sure they seek out those voices another way.
