Thousands have converged on Ratana Pa
on the eve of the 8th of November.
Tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary when,
as followers believe,
their founder T.W. Ratana received a divine revelation.
But today, politics dominated the day.
Since its inception,
politics and religion have gone hand in hand
with the Ratana church.
In 1923, Ratana son's Hami stood for western Maori as an independent.
In 1932, Eru Tirikatene became the first Ratana MP.
In 1936, a pact between Ratana and Labour was sealed.
Tahupotiki gave MP Michael Savage
a potato to illustrate loss of land and sustenance,
a broken watch to symbolise the broken promises of the treaty,
a hei tiki to represent Maori mana, language and traditions,
and finally, a huia feather to convey the notion of chieftainship.
The Mangai said if Savage delivered on these three,
he would earn the right to wear the huia feather.
By 1943, all four Maori seats were with Labour
and all were Ratana adherents.
Fast forward to the present day,
after dalliances with NZ First and the Maori Party,
Labour is looking to reclaim the important support of Ratana
and that was emphasised when the party turned up in force
at Ratana Pa this afternoon.
For more, let's cross live to Ratana Pa.
Where our political reporter Eruera Rerekura is standing by, Eru.
You're right Scotty,
to show the importance of the link between Labour and Ratana,
the Labour Maori caucus is here, so too are ministers,
and even PM Jacinda Ardern has come.
The PM leads NZ's political parties on to Ratana Pa.
Labour maintaining links to Ratana is important to the PM.
Adrian Rurawhe embodies that bond as a Labour MP
who was raised within the church.
Ratana Pa is teeming with people today.
According to 2013 stats
just over 40,000 stated they were members of the Ratana church.
The majority of our adherents have not filled out the census.
Faith comes from the heart.
As we can see at this event there are a lot of people here.
And other political parties are here in an attempt to woo the people.
Let's not forget that the leader of NZ First, Winston Peters,
is an upstanding member within the faith.
I am attending because Winston
is unable to do so himself and I will be conveying
the best wishes of NZ First to the movement.
Which means Labour needs to be on point,
lest the Ratana vote goes elsewhere.
Scotty the PM has just announced $1.9 million
will be granted to upgrade infrastructure at Ratana Pa.
Eru, tomorrow's the big day
- the 8th of November - what can we expect?
That's right Scotty.
It's going to be a huge day.
There'll be prayers,
the brass bands of Ratana, Nga Reo, will be blasting,
there'll be a huge feast and tomorrow night,
a big concert is planned.
So, lots on!
I'll have all that right here on Te Karere,
at Ratana tomorrow for the 8th of November.
Thank you for the update, Eruera Rerekura.