Join us in helping to save our iconic, historic Rātana Whare Whakamoemiti in Raetihi

Matua Tama Wairua Tapu me ngā Anahera Pono me te Māngai ae!

“I stand inside the bell tower ringing the bell for whakamoemiti. I wonder why it hasn’t fallen” - Āpotoro Rēhita Robert Williams

To our small rural community of Raetihi our iconic temple is more than just a building, it is our whare, a spiritual taonga that carries great mana. Taku Whare Tuatahi (my first house) was the name gifted to our whare whakamoemiti by Rātana himself when he travelled from the pā opening it in 1926 and for over 100 years our whare whakamoemiti has provided an inspirational place for our community to come together as we share, learn and honour our culture, heritage, history and māramatanga.

In 2017 Aunty Berta Williams shared her dream of a complete restoration, one that not only honoured the historical and architectural importance but, is completed to the highest possible standards.

With the generous support of Sills van Bohemen Architects and a number of experts who have generously donated their expertise we, have spent the last five years developing a proposal for a comprehensive refurbishment that will honour the architectural significance of our temple with the historical sensitivity required. As of May 2022 the total renovation project budget is $998,646 but to qualify for partnership funding our community needs to raise at least one third of the project total, this is our next milestone.

Keen to find out more about our kaupapa? please follow us on social or head to teparihaoraetihi.nz