A group of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in the annual celebration of the birth of Ratana Christian Church founder, Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, at Ratana Pā, near Whanganui on Wednesday, 22 January 2025.
Dignitaries and friends gathered from across New Zealand to pay their respects to the Rātana Church leaders and their community.
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Latter-day Saint leaders Vili Igatia (center left), second counselor in the Palmerston North stake presidency, and Pene Matthews (second from right), kaikorero or cultural formal speaker representing the Church, enjoy meeting with Manuao Te Kohamutunga Tamou, Rātana Church leader, alongside other members of the delegation at Rātana Pa on Wednesday, 22 January 2025.2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was Vili Igatia, second counselor in the Palmerston North Stake Presidency, Pene Matthews, Kaikōrero (cultural formal speaker), and members from Palmerston North and Wairarapa, New Zealand.
Pene Matthews said, “Our presence at the pōwhiri (a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony) for religious denominations was greatly appreciated by Rātana leaders. We recognised and acknowledged the special and unique connection between our two churches.”
This year marks 100 years since Rātana Church was officially organised and 100 years since Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana visited the Church’s headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.
DOWNLOADIn Matthews’ whaikōrero (a formal speech), he acknowledged the special connection the Church shares with Pāora Pōtangaroa, the Rangatira (Māori Chief) from Te Oreore, Masterton, who in 1881 prophesied about the coming of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Wairarapa. It was because of Pāora Pōtangaroa’s prophecy that Rātana visited Utah in 1925 to investigate further for himself the church that Pōtangaroa spoke of years earlier.
DOWNLOADFollowing Matthews’ whaikōrero, the delegation sang the popular Māori Hymn, Koutou Katoa Rā. The words of the song express the great joy experienced when following the Saviour, Jesus Christ.