Ratana: The Origins and the Story of the Movement

Te Ao Hou, December 1963, Page 51

Ratana: The Origins and the Story of the Movement by J. McLeod Henderson The Polynesian Society, 22/6 Earlier this year, when ‘Te Ao Hou’ published an illustrated article on the Ratana Church, we mentioned an eloquent and thoughtful book about Ratana, written by J. McLeod Henderson, which existed only in typewritten form. Now the Polynesian Society has published a book by Mr Henderson which is based on this earlier work, and which will be of the greatest interest to all who wish to know more about the Ratana Movement and its founder. In her introduction the President of the Church, Puhi O Aotea Ratahi, says: ‘In the past it has been the policy of the Church not to publicise its teachings which have been given by word of mouth in the Maori language. But many of the younger members have leaned so heavily upon the Pakeha tongue that they have known very little of the history of their faith and to them I would recommend this book. Many old friends who have made their contribution to it have passed on, but their knowledge is not lost to us. ‘When the author came to us he expressed a desire to relate the story of the birth and growth of the Ratana Church. Since then he has stayed with us often and his many questions have been answered during the years of our friendship. E mihi ana ahau ki a Hemi mo tona awhina i ahau ki te whakatakoto i tenei hitoria hei titiro ma nga uri whakatupu. ‘May all readers, Maori and European, old and young, derive from this work a better understanding of the wonderful power and achievements of our Founder, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana, Mangai.’ The book discusses the background from which Ratana arose—the bloodshed, the unjust land confiscations, the loss of the old religion, the confusion and despair. It shows with sympathetic insight the people's need of a leader, and of symbols which would be real to them; and it tells how Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana, in filling this need, brought them new hope. The outline of the history of the Ratana Church which the book gives is a fascinating one, and includes a great deal of material which is not readily available elsewhere. Other books will undoubtedly be written about Ratana, and this volume, as the first general book to be published on the subject, necessarily covers a great deal of ground in a fairly short space. But it will surely take its place as one of the indispensable books for all who have an interest in our country's history. —M.O.