Rātana pā is a town in the North Island

North Island

The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...

 of New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

, near Wanganui

Wanganui

Whanganui , also spelled Wanganui, is an urban area and district on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Manawatu-Wanganui region....

 and Marton

Marton, New Zealand

Marton is the hub of the Rangitikei district of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand's North Island. It is situated 35 kilometres southeast of Wanganui and 40 kilometres northwest of Palmerston North. The population was 4752 .-History:...

 in the Manawatu-Wanganui

Manawatu-Wanganui

Manawatu-Wanganui is a region in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand, around the cities of Palmerston North and Whanganui. It is administered by the Horizons Regional Council.-Administration:...

 region, which developed around the Ratana

Ratana

The Rātana movement is a Māori religion and pan-tribal political movement founded by Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana in early 20th century New Zealand...

 church there. It is a site of pilgrimage for the Maori followers of the Ratana faith. Due to the importance of the Ratana movement in New Zealand politics, leading New Zealand politicians often attend annual gatherings at Rātana pā.

January 25th

Every January 25, members of the Ratana Church converge to Ratana Pa to celebrate the birth of its founder Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana. This annual gathering lasts for a week. The highlight of the week is the Temple Service on the 25th of January. Usually, Members of Parliament (MPs) converge to the Pa on the 24th to talk and gain Maori votes for election time.