Rātana: Stan walks inLearning about his home, religion and history

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

Stan (Roto) Walker was just one of the crowd who made the pilgrimage to celebrate this week’s gathering in the small village of Rātana Pā, on the outskirts of Whanganui

Walker has many connections to the village and to the church Rātana movement, which celebrates the 150th birthday of founder Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana.

“For me, returning home has allowed me to be amongst my people again, where I’m learning so much about myself and my people again,” Walker, who made it big in Australia, told NZME.

He has returned to the region where he lives with his wife Lou and two children.

He also took the opportunity to reconnect with his roots and joined Te Reanga Mōrehu O Ratana, a champion kapa haka group from the Taranaki/Whanganui region. He hopes to...