Ratana, Labour historically close - Goff

Labour leader Phil Goff lines-up behind the Ratana Brass Band before being welcomed onto the marae near Whanganui. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Labour has reconnected with its historically strong support from the Ratana movement, according to leader Phil Goff and church figures today.

Mr Goff addressed a gathering to celebrate the birthday of the church's founder Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.

He began by underlying the shared history between Labour and Ratana, which dates back to a meeting between Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana and Michael Joseph Savage in 1936.

He then spoke of a fresh crop of Labour candidates selected on merit but who have strong Ratana connections.

They include Rino Tirikatene in the Te Tai Tonga electorate. Mr Tirikatene's grandfather was the first Ratana Labour MP.

Labour will also field Ratana follower Soraya Peke-Mason - who is related to the church's head, Haare Meihana - against Maori party co-leader Tariana Turia in the local Te Tai Hauaru Maori seat.

Labour's Manurewa candidate Louisa Wall also has strong family connections to the church.

As expected Mr Goff went on to speak of the challenges for Maori, particularly school leavers, citing high rates of unemployment amongst young Maori.

Church secretary Adrian Rurawhe said Ratana chairman Karaka Paamer's response "has given encouragement to the Labour Party and in particular the Maori members that are standing for Parliament this year."

Mr Paamer has also encouraged Labour to uphold the legacy of Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana and Michael Joseph Savage's meeting.

"It's quite clear that the Labour Party and Ratana are close friends", said Mr Rurawhe, who did however acknowledge there were some people from the marae that did not share that view.

Speaking afterward to reporters Mr Goff said he'd received a warmer welcome that had been evident in previous years at the marae.

"The speeches this year were far more positive that I've heard for several years at Ratana," Mr Goff said.

He believed the church followers were responding to what they saw happening in New Zealand.

"They have seen the pressure families are under, living standards going backwards, their children leaving school without hope getting employment and harsh labour laws."

Thousands of visitors descend on the Ratana village 20km south of Wanganui over several days each year to celebrate the 1873 birth of the church's founder Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana.

According the last census there are about 50,000 Ratana followers throughout New Zealand. Organisers expect anywhere between 2000 and 10,000 people at the gathering.