A significant group within the Ratana Church has thrown its weight behind Hone Harawira and his new Mana Party.
Members of the northern arm of the Ratana church were on Friday leaving for Kaitaia on what they call a "Hikoi for Hone", a little over a week before the by-election in the Te Tai Tokerau electorate.
A senior church member for northern Ratana told Morning Report that the Mana Party and Ratana go well together.
Kereama Pene says some of the statements Mr Harawira is making about Treaty issues are consistent with the church's views, but does not expect other parts of the church to follow northern Ratana members, because they do not vote in Te Tai Tokerau.
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia, who has family links to the founders of Ratana, says the faith should not be used politically.
She says Mr Pene used to support the Maori Party, and used to quote another old prophecy in support of that decision.
The by-election in the Te Tai Tokerau electorate on 25 June was sparked by Mr Harawira's resignation from Parliament to seek a fresh mandate under the new Mana Party banner.
