January 25, 2023
Melting Māori moments at Ratana
Most of the politicians have gone, but morehu at Ratana Pa today continue to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of movement founder Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.
Church member and Te Waipounamu MP Rino Tirikatene says the presence of the political parties yesterday generated some uplifting korero.
He says the fact it was Jacinda Ardern’s last public appearance as Prime Minister made it a special day.
“There were plenty of melting Māori moments. The beautiful korero. It’s so rare to see one prime minister signing off and another one stepping up so what better place than to have it here at Ratana,” Mr Tirikatene says.
ACT was the only party to skip the hui, which is seen as the start of the political year.