Throughout the week-end groups of people made the pilgrimage up the mountain to the sacred waterfall Te Rere a Kapuni, where church services were held. A 15 acre ‘mushroom village’ of tents and caravans housed the gathering at Opunake. As well as church services there were many other activities, including a march past of sports teams, marching girls, football, hockey and basketball teams of all grades, dances, brass band contests, a talent quest, Maori cultural competitions, and sports competitions. Many of those present also visited Parihaka, another of the most revered places in Maori history.

Earlier Visit by Church Leaders The pilgrimage followed a visit to Te Rere a Kapuni made last December by a group of church leaders led by Mrs Puhi-o-Aotea Ratahi, president of the church. After this they visited Ratana groups throughout the country, in the first national tour made by a president of the church since the time of T. W. Ratana.