Te Ra:

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Location:
Ratana is a county town falling within the boundary of the Rangitikei District Council.  It is situated  25 kilometres south of Whanganui, 3 kilometres off State Highway 3.

Composition:
The majority (99%) of residents are of Maori descent from many tribal areas.  And are also Morehu.

Population:  400

Brief History

The Town grew as a result of a Movement of people who came to follow the teachings of Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.  This started in 1918 and by 1924 there were six hundred permanent residents, with the population swelling to several thousand at Christmas, Easter and January 25th.  The Ratana Church was established in 1925.  From 1924 onward saw the building of many important buildings and features that formed the infrastructure of Ratana.  This included the Temple (1928), the School (1924) the Manuao (1938) as well as shops and a picture theatre.  By the late 1940s some parts of the Pa had fallen into disrepair.  However around 1953,  legislation was enacted which saw Ratana officially being recognised as a County Town with a Trust set up to control the Marae and Buildings.  At this time also, the township was sub-divided, new roads developed and new homes built.  By the end of the 1960s Ratana had a Medical clinic, a Fire Station and Kaumatua Flats.  The population at April 2000 approximately 400.

People have visited this Page since October 2000