‘Manaaki tangata in its 1000s’

• Author: Te Kakenga Kawiti-Bishara
• Published date: 26 January 2023
• Publication title: Whanganui Chronicle

Volunteers were on hand to welcome the thousands of dignitaries and whānau who converged on Rātana — the unofficial kick-off to the political year — this week. They cook, clean, powhiri, maintain the paepae, and are on call for whatever needs doing

The kitchen is run like a military operation with everyone knowing their roles.

“Manaaki tangata in its thousands” said Rātana ringaringawaewae (cook) Donna Docherty, who has played a lead role in the kiikoopu, Rātana Marae dining hall, for most of her life.

During this year’s Rātana 150th celebrations, the kiikoopu kitchen is in full swing, catering for the many visitors who have travelled from near and far, not only to go to church, but also to feast.

Cooks and caterers can be identified by white shirts or apron dresses, though Docherty said the first cooks wore blue. She said the white was...