March 21, 2022
Raetihi temepara to get refab
One of the country’s most iconic church buildings is getting a new lease of life.
Planning permission has been given for the renovation of the Rātana temple at Raetihi.
The tōtara building was originally a Methodist church, but as the congregation converted to the new religion in the 1920s it was moved up the hill and had towers added, making it a replica of the temepara at Rātana Pā.
Āpotoro Robert Williams says it’s still in use, not only by Rātana but by other denominations.
He says the congregation is still fundraising for the renovation, which should be done over the next couple of years.
“My vision is to restore its back to its original how it was, back into the timber, do it once, do it properly, so our rangatahi, our chieftains of tomorrow, won’t have the trouble we are going through,” he says.
Mr Williams says Tahupotiki Wiremu Rātana called it Taku Whare Tuatahi – my first house, but in the 1950s it was renamed Te Whare Whakamoemiti – the house of raise.