It's not an original quote (in fact there is quite some discussion about who can be credited with the original words - but that's a whole other subject for another day).
The political year kicks off formally today with the visit by all the big-hitters to the home of Ratana. And when I heard all the broadcasters contemplating this annual pilgrimage, it got me wondering just what I did know about the man who founded both the Church and the political movement.
Throughout history, certain individuals with a rare passion for justice and a gift of insight have been able to rally and motivate people through periods of great social change, sometimes defying all odds and being greatly misunderstood in the process. Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana was such a man, called to prominence at a pivotal time, with a message for the Maori people and for the wider world. After a profound vision he became a healer of people's physical ailments and a lifter of ancient curses; and he was also a leader in healing the 'land sickness' of the Maori, after decades of land confiscation by the Government and the Crown. As founder of the Ratana Church and the Ratana movement, he led his followers in the quest to unite all Maori under one God, and to restore the Treaty of Waitangi as the founding document of the nation, giving Maori equal rights to British citizens. This is part of the publishers description for the book Ratana The Prophet by Keith Newman. But it is just one of the resources we have on botht he man himself and religion that has grown based on his teachings. A Keyword search for Ratana produces several more, although some of these are valuable editions and can only be accessed in the special collections in the library.
You can also access a wide range of resources through either the Libraries Digital resources or from websites such as NZ History online.
No comments:
Post a Comment