NEW MAORI HEALER

Feilding Star, Volume 9, Issue 3848, 3 October 1932, Page 7

NEW MAORI HEALER

A RI VAL FOR KATANA SPONSORED hi’ KINO RATA From private 1 sources in close touch with native developments, it is learned that a new Maori healer has established a considerable reputation In the Waikato in particular and is spreading his influence 'throughout many trtt>es in the North Island on the strength of some remarkable cures claimed to have been eftccted in recent months.

The new healer is Maraekura. a Wanganui native, whose activities are sponsored l»y the Maori King, Rata, and also by Princess Te Puea, of the Waikato,.

The newromer to the ranks of the loaders does not discourage the attention of doctors and chemist s among his .patients, but he .insists on an implicit belief in Goc]. There is understood to lie apx>reciable rivalry between Maraekura and the established doyen of Maori healers, Ratana, whom many of the Maoris consider is inclined to Ik> over-proud of liis abilities in. this suhnnn,

The riyalry does not affect Ifatana’s religious association, liowever, which retains its strong appeal to many sections of the Maori face, especially In tile Fur North, and has signalised its spread to. the South island by a recent victory in a Maori by-election. Some of the cures effected by the new healer are stated t<< Is* as. remarkable os any claimed fi r Ratann. and natives in various parts of the North Island have evinced deep interest in his iiersonivlity and methods.