Country Churches of NZ 3. Ratana Church, Ahipara, Northland

I wrote and illustrated Country Churches of New Zealand. It was published in 2002 by New Holland, Publishers and is still on sale in bookshops.
The publishers have kindly agreed to me re-publishing some of the book’s images and descriptions in this blog.

RATANA CHURCH AHIPARA

The charming and distinctive Ratana Church at Ahipara was something of a surprise when, as I was about to head south, I came across it by the roadside. It is spick and span and, like all Ratana churches, is a consistently patterned reminder of the principal temple at Ratana in the Rangitikei.

The powerful Christianity based Maori Ratana faith started with a vision received by Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana on 18 November 1918.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
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