April 12, 2023
Andre Mason new Tumuaki for Te Hāhi Ratana
After a hotly-contested selection the synod of the Ratana Church has appointed Andre Mason as the church’s eighth Tumuaki or leader.
He succeeds his father, the late Harerangi Meihana, and he’s a great grandson of church founder Tahupōtiki Wiremu Ratana.
Synod chair Mita Ririnui says the synod broke into two committees, and while there were efforts made to achieve kōtahitanga, the weight of votes were with Mr Mason.
He says transparency, inclusivity, and democracy must be at the heart of the church today.
In his first speech as Tumuaki, Mr Mason told Morehu the Tumuaki plays a very small part in the scheme of the whole organisation, and what is important is the 40,000 people the Ratana church represents.