NZ Holds Ratana Celebrations

WHANGANUI, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 24: Deputy Prime Minister and NZ First Leader Winston Peters speaks during Rātana Celebrations on January 24, 2025 in Whanganui, New Zealand. The Rātana celebrations, held annually in January, commemorate the birthday of Tahupotiki Wiremu Rātana, the founder of the Rātana Church, and attract thousands of followers to Rātana Pā for a week of festivities, including religious services and cultural performances. These events not only honor Rātana's legacy but also serve as an important gathering for political leaders, marking the unofficial start of the political year in New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)