Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
When Rātana Church founder Tahu Potiki Wiremu Rātana was looking for ways to spread the gospel of his new movement, he knew music would be a key part of God's work.
For the best party of a hundred years the Rātana Brass Band has been at the centre of worship and celebration.
Less well known is the role of Takutai Moana Koea, the Rātana Church Choir.
But this weekend, four members of that choir are heading south to the capital city to lend their voices to a special concert by the Wellington Community Choir.
Photo: Wellington Community Choir
Rātana Choir Tumuaki, Lydia Gardiner, and Wellington Community Choir Lala Simpson joined RNZ Concert's Bryan Crump ahead of the concert.
The choirs formed a bond when the Wellington group visited Rātana Pa near Whanganui in 2018.
Simpson remembers being blown away by the sound Gardiner and her fellow singers made, while Gardiner was impressed with the size and enthusiasm of Simpson's choir.
Simpson told Crump about her own musical journey, from her home country Madagascar - where singing was part of everyday life, to being shut out of singing when she first arrived in New Zealand at the beginning of the 21st century.
It wasn't because of her voice, Simpson was unable to participate in most New Zealand choirs because she could not read music.
Lala Simpson leading the Wellington Community Choir Photo: Bryan Crump
Luckily, the Wellington Community Choir which she ebulliently leads, in dance as well as song - learns by ear.
Proceeds from the concert will help fund Rātana’s upcoming trip to Japan, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Rātana Church founder Tahu Potiki Wiremu Rātana's world tour in 1924.
The tour party called into the port of Yokohama, on their way home and cemented a lasting bond with the Anglican Bishop Juji Nakata, who hosted Rātana and his ropu for two weeks.
Four Singers of the Ratana Choir Photo: Supplied
Rātana choirs aren't limited to Rātana Pa, there are singers around Aotearoa and Australia.
The Rātana Choir will itself turn a hundred in 2027. Crump suggests that would be a great opportunity to get all Rātana singers into the one place.
Gardiner agrees, and adds the Wellington Community Choir would be welcome to join in the celebration.
Before then, Wellington Community Choir and members of the Rātana Choir will join forces on Saturday September 14th at St Peter's Church on Willis Street, from 5pm.
