MERERIKIRIKI

Mererikiriki was a leader and tohunga at Parewanui marae near the mouth of the Rangitikei river. She was a member of the Church of England and set up Te Haahi o te Wairua Tapu", — (The Holy Ghost Mission), to combat what she perceived to be Maori superstition, but through this became a recognised traditional tohunga in her own right.

She was a prophet, forseeing the emergence of Ratana, and preparing him to take "the cloak of the spirit of Tawhiao and Te Whiti", subsequent to Te Whiti's death. She named Ratana's sons, Arepa and Omeka, but refused to baptise them because their mana was too great. She advised and guided Ratana who learnt from her the psychology of faith healing.