Ratana, Tahupotiki Wiremu

Ratana, Tahupotiki Wiremu ( 1873 – 1939 )
Maori political and religious leader. A Methodist farmer, he founded the Ratana Church ( 1920 ), an interdenominational movement whose aim was to unite Maoris of all tribes. Its doctrine of faith-healing and many unorthodox rituals led to a rift with other Christian denominations in 1925 . Politically Ratana struggled for Maori rights by pressing for full implementation of the Treaty of Waitangi .