On Sunday 8 November, Te Hāhi Rātana was celebrated at our marae at Tuahiwi with a study and learning wānanga.
Mōrehu selected items that went onto the whiteboard for questioning, discussion and debate such as the history of the eighth day of November in 1918, when the Anahera Pono came to Tahu Pōtiki Wiremu Rātana with messages from Ihoa and to test him, his wife, Urumanao (Te Whaea o te katoa) and his tamariki with many trials and tribulations.
Our day began with whakamoemiti, introduction of Ngā Pou o te Hāhi and Harirū , which was then followed by shared kai.
Topics of discussion for study were: Kaupapa (rules) o te Hāhi, Te Ture Wairua, Te Ture Tangata, Te Whetū Marama (tohu),Te Tokotoru Tapu, Ngā Anahera Pono, Te Māngai, Āpotoro Akonga, Āpotoro Wairua, Āpotoro Rēhita, Āwhina, Rōpū Raupō, Te reo, Kātipa, Te Māramatanga, the official Rātana website, Te Kawenata and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
We had a most enjoyable day with many stories shared by not only mōrehu but also whanaunga who follow other faiths, and we ended our day with shared boil-up of many varieties.
Our next wānanga in the New Year will be a training wānanga for new recruits and revision for Ngā Pou o te Hāhi.
Congratulations to James Seymour from Wharekauri who on 25 January 2016 will receive his certificate at the Rātana Pā, from the Tumuaki o te Hāhi for Āpotoro Rēhita at his Whakawāhi in the Temepara.
Congratulations also to Michael Frances Bennett (Āpotoro Akonga), Iola Bennett (Kātipa) and Reimona Crofts (Kātipa).
Noho ora mai, Aroha H Reriti-Crofts CBE JP, co-chairperson, Tuahiwi Pāriha.
