Originally a follower of Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, Ngāpiki Hākaraia came to disagree with aspects of his teachings. With her second husband Hoani Hākaraia of Ngā Rauru, she moved to Kai Iwi, where she became leader of the Māramatanga religion.

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Maata Te Reo Hura was one of Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana’s children, and was involved in the Rātana movement from the outset. After she became its fourth president in 1967, she fostered stronger ties between the Rātana Church and the Māori King movement.

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Puhi-o-Aotea Rātahi was third president of the Rātana Church, and was a strong advocate for the advancement of Māori through education.

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The eldest of Tahupotiki Wiremu Rātana’s seven children, Haami Tokouru Rātana (known as Toko) became a leader of the political wing of the movement, and in 1943 became member of Parliament for the Western Māori electorate.

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After a vision in 1918, Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana became a faith healer and religious leader. As his Rātana Church gained in influence, he entered the field of politics, forging an alliance with the Labour Party in the early 1930s.

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In the early 20th century Mere Rikiriki established a new religion, the Church of the Holy Spirit, at Parewanui. She became revered as a prophet, and mentored other Ngāti Apa spiritual leaders, notably Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana.

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