Politicians make their annual appearance at Ratana Pa near Whanganui today for the church celebrations that mark the beginning of the political year.
The celebrations mark the anniversary of the birth of the Ratana Church's prophet, Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana. Thousands of people including Ratana followers, iwi leaders and church dignitaries from around the country attend the event.
Leaders, MPs and members of the National, Labour, Green and Maori parties arrive today, all using the opportunity to vie for the Maori vote.
David Cunliffe will be making his first appearance at Ratana as Labour leader and is bringing a large contingent of MPs as his party aims to win back all seven Maori seats.
Prime Minister John Key is expected to highlight what the present and former National governments have done for Maori.
Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says he intends to highlight the alignment between his party and the Ratana movement when he speaks in the afternoon.
