Ratana
/ˈrɑːtənə
/noun [mass noun]
1A Maori Christian sect and political movement founded in 1918: Ratana makes wide use of sacred-secular healing...
- Labour has had an almost unbroken 70-year alliance with Ratana.
- Ratana picked up a second seat and, a year later, they sealed an electoral alliance that lasted for more than 70 years.
- I come again today to speak to the leadership of Ratana.
1.1 [count noun] A member of the Ratana religion or church: I hope Ratanas will vote on the issues facing all the Maori people...
- In 1963 one seat was won by a member of the Mormon Church, but it was regained by a Ratana in the by-election of 1967.
- I never became a Ratana.
- As a Ratana she was allied with the Labour Party which initially showed some hesitation in endorsing a woman candidate in a Maori electorate.
adjective
Relating to the Ratana religion or church: the Ratana community...
- The annual pilgrimage has become such a political event because the Ratana Church is recognised in our history as a political movement.
- The founder of the Ratana Church effected miraculous cures and claimed to be God's direct mouth-piece for the Maoris.
- Thousands of the Ratana faithful turn up on November 8, their church's formation date, and on January 25, to celebrate its founder's birthday.
Origin
Early 20th century: named after the founder of the movement, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana (1870–1939).