NEW MAORI "HEALER."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16021, 6 January 1923, Page 11

NEW MAORI "HEALER."

RIVALRY WITH RATANA. WHAKATANE, Jaq ; 2.—A great gathering of Maorife. was lield at Roroporo during the holidays to welcome VVi Koepa Hakjaha' who - came from Wanganui, with, some 50 followers. The visitor • claims to have the power of healing the sick and suffering, and the Maoris. appeared to have great faith in him. He is a. stoutly-built native with a (juiet manner and claims to be a believer in the religion of To Kooti, the Church of England, and the Church of Rome.

Unlike Ratana, Wi Keepa does not hold aloof from .tho rest of the Maoris, but goes freely among. them dressed in an ordinary way. Nevertheless ho appears to command the - strong respect of his following. From Tauranga, Mutata, Te Puke, and further afield the .natives came ; to. see the Vhealor,'' many \of them bringing - along.-, sick people"' ' t& '"* try his ' healing/'• powers. Whether ho has actually performed any "cures" could not be ascertained, although some of the natives aro quick to credit him with powors of healing. Wi Keepa Hakiaha was formerly a resident of Whakatane, but has latterly been residing at Wanganui. It is etated that some rivalry has lately arisen between him and Ratana in connection with the "healing." Religious sorvicea and high feasting were features of the camp durincr the holidays. Wi Keepa