Protest by Maori in the 1970s - Key People/Groups
Dame Whina Cooper
9 December 1895 – 26 March 1994
Whina Cooper, born as Hohepine (Joesphine) Te Wake in Te Karaka, northern Hokianga, in 1895 of the Te Rarawa tribe. Cooper was an active member of the northern Hokianga community and by the 1930s she had become a distinguished leader of the northern Hokianga people. In 1932, Cooper helped and supported Sir Apirana Ngata in establishing Maori land development schemes in the northern region.
In 1949, after the death of her second husband, Bill Cooper, Cooper moved to Auckland where she obtained the role of a pan-tribal Maori leader. Furthermore, Cooper was the founding president of the Maori Women’s Welfare League and active in establishing its regional branches. The League worked to improve the living conditions for Maori migrating to cities and facing racial discrimination.
Cooper led the 1975 hikoi, which is often considered her most important act as it marked a new era of Maori protest. Her leadership of this significant land march, at almost 80 years old, has created her an inspiring legacy to future Maori leaders. Furthermore, later in 1990 Cooper opened the Auckland Commonwealth Games where she expressed her desire for a unified nation and for people to remember, ‘that the Treaty was signed so that we could all live as one nation in Aotearoa.’
Coopers determination to gain equality for Maori and passion for Maori culture is an inspiration to all that precede her and has made her an
important leader of New Zealand history. Her significant effect on New Zealand society is further demonstrated when thousands attended her tangihanga (funeral) and over one million people watched the live television broadcast, after she sadly passed away at the age of 98 on 26 March 1994.
9 December 1895 – 26 March 1994
Whina Cooper, born as Hohepine (Joesphine) Te Wake in Te Karaka, northern Hokianga, in 1895 of the Te Rarawa tribe. Cooper was an active member of the northern Hokianga community and by the 1930s she had become a distinguished leader of the northern Hokianga people. In 1932, Cooper helped and supported Sir Apirana Ngata in establishing Maori land development schemes in the northern region.
In 1949, after the death of her second husband, Bill Cooper, Cooper moved to Auckland where she obtained the role of a pan-tribal Maori leader. Furthermore, Cooper was the founding president of the Maori Women’s Welfare League and active in establishing its regional branches. The League worked to improve the living conditions for Maori migrating to cities and facing racial discrimination.
Cooper led the 1975 hikoi, which is often considered her most important act as it marked a new era of Maori protest. Her leadership of this significant land march, at almost 80 years old, has created her an inspiring legacy to future Maori leaders. Furthermore, later in 1990 Cooper opened the Auckland Commonwealth Games where she expressed her desire for a unified nation and for people to remember, ‘that the Treaty was signed so that we could all live as one nation in Aotearoa.’
Coopers determination to gain equality for Maori and passion for Maori culture is an inspiration to all that precede her and has made her an
important leader of New Zealand history. Her significant effect on New Zealand society is further demonstrated when thousands attended her tangihanga (funeral) and over one million people watched the live television broadcast, after she sadly passed away at the age of 98 on 26 March 1994.
Te Roopu o te Matakite
1975
Te Roopu o te Matakite, meaning ‘those with foresight,’ was formed at a hui (meeting) held by Whina Cooper at Mangere Marae in early 1975. The group was created after significant concerns over continuous alienation of Maori land and the limited control by Maori on land. Te Roopu o te Matakite stood to raise awareness to Maori land grievances. In order to do so successfully it aimed to bring about unity amongst the numerous Maori tribes.
Te Roopu o te Matakite led the 1975 hikoi after six months of planning, aiming to highlight Maori land grievances. The leadership shown by this group and its leader Whina Cooper were significant in the success of the land march. It called for and encouraged all Pakeha and Maori to participate in the march and while journeying down the North Island Te Roopu o te Matakite was able to attract thousands of New Zealanders to join the march to parliament.
Te Roopu o te Matakite was pivotal in the 1975 hikoi and in doing so bringing light to the alienation of Maori land.
Image 17 (right
): Members of Te Roopu o te Matakite as the hikoi enters Auckland, crossing the Harbour Bridge
1975
Te Roopu o te Matakite, meaning ‘those with foresight,’ was formed at a hui (meeting) held by Whina Cooper at Mangere Marae in early 1975. The group was created after significant concerns over continuous alienation of Maori land and the limited control by Maori on land. Te Roopu o te Matakite stood to raise awareness to Maori land grievances. In order to do so successfully it aimed to bring about unity amongst the numerous Maori tribes.
Te Roopu o te Matakite led the 1975 hikoi after six months of planning, aiming to highlight Maori land grievances. The leadership shown by this group and its leader Whina Cooper were significant in the success of the land march. It called for and encouraged all Pakeha and Maori to participate in the march and while journeying down the North Island Te Roopu o te Matakite was able to attract thousands of New Zealanders to join the march to parliament.
Te Roopu o te Matakite was pivotal in the 1975 hikoi and in doing so bringing light to the alienation of Maori land.
Image 17 (right
): Members of Te Roopu o te Matakite as the hikoi enters Auckland, crossing the Harbour Bridge
Joe Hawke
1940-Present
Joesph Parata Hohepa Hawke born in 1940 of the Ngati Whatua tribe was a key leader in the Bastion Point land occupation and other protests concerning his tribe.
Hawke established himself as an important leader when he led the 1977-1978 land occupation of Bastion Point after the government had failed to return tribal land and planned to sell the land for housing. The occupation ended with police force after 506 days. Despite the lack of interest in the issue shown by the public after the occupation, Joe Hawke never lost faith in pursuing this Maori land grievance. Joe Hawke expressed in a speech his want for the return of his and his tribes land, the importance of the land to the Ngati Whatua tribe,
“We are landless in our own land, Takaparawha means a tremendous amount to our people, the struggle for the retention of this land is the most important
struggle which our people have faced for many years. To lose this last bit of ground wold be a death blow to the mana, to the honour and to the dignity of the
Ngati Whatua people. We are prepared to go the whole way because legally we have the legal right to do it.”
– (Taken from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/speech/1212/joe-hawke)
Hawke continued his fight for Maori affairs in becoming a politician and Member of Parliament (MP). As a member of the Labour Party, Hawke contested the Te Tai Tokerau seat in the 1996 election, however was unsuccessful and therefore entered parliament as a list MP. He remained in parliament as a list MP in the 1999 election, choosing not to stand in an electorate, and retired from politics at the 2002 elections.
Hawkes influence in politics and prominent leader of Ngati Whatua has made him a significant figure of New Zealand history, persisting with Maori affairs to create racial equality.
Image 12: Joe Hawke, shown on the left, leading the occupation of Bastion Point
1940-Present
Joesph Parata Hohepa Hawke born in 1940 of the Ngati Whatua tribe was a key leader in the Bastion Point land occupation and other protests concerning his tribe.
Hawke established himself as an important leader when he led the 1977-1978 land occupation of Bastion Point after the government had failed to return tribal land and planned to sell the land for housing. The occupation ended with police force after 506 days. Despite the lack of interest in the issue shown by the public after the occupation, Joe Hawke never lost faith in pursuing this Maori land grievance. Joe Hawke expressed in a speech his want for the return of his and his tribes land, the importance of the land to the Ngati Whatua tribe,
“We are landless in our own land, Takaparawha means a tremendous amount to our people, the struggle for the retention of this land is the most important
struggle which our people have faced for many years. To lose this last bit of ground wold be a death blow to the mana, to the honour and to the dignity of the
Ngati Whatua people. We are prepared to go the whole way because legally we have the legal right to do it.”
– (Taken from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/speech/1212/joe-hawke)
Hawke continued his fight for Maori affairs in becoming a politician and Member of Parliament (MP). As a member of the Labour Party, Hawke contested the Te Tai Tokerau seat in the 1996 election, however was unsuccessful and therefore entered parliament as a list MP. He remained in parliament as a list MP in the 1999 election, choosing not to stand in an electorate, and retired from politics at the 2002 elections.
Hawkes influence in politics and prominent leader of Ngati Whatua has made him a significant figure of New Zealand history, persisting with Maori affairs to create racial equality.
Image 12: Joe Hawke, shown on the left, leading the occupation of Bastion Point
Eva Rickard
19 April 1925 – 6 December 1997
Eva Rickard was born in Te Kopua, Raglan, in 1925, descending from Tainui. Rickard became most famous for her leadership with the Raglan golf course occupation in 1978. Rickard continued the protest, regarding Maori land grievances in Raglan, of which her mother began in the 1950s. Her dedication to the protest in Raglan saw her get arrested, however her dedication as well as persistence eventually achieved the return of the Tainui Awhiro land which was previously taken by the government and then partially converted into a golf course. This significant action of protest gained media attention which placed Rickard in the public eye.
Rickard worked tirelessly throughout the 1970s to raise awareness of the Maori land grievances, especially in the Tainui region. She stayed an active member of Maori society and in February 1984 Rickard led a protest march to Waitangi. The 2,000 strong hikoi’s purpose was to end the celebration of Waitangi Day until all Maori Treaty grievances were settled.
Rickard joined of Mana Motuhake (Maori self-determination), however was unsuccessful in entering Parliament. She later formed her own political party called Mana Maori which contested for parliament in the 2002 general election seen as a significant Maori party also incorporating smaller parties, Te Tawharau and Piri Wiri Tua.
Rickard is known in New Zealand history as a strong Maori woman, consistently working on equality for Maori. Image 16: Eva Rickard leading the Raglan golf course occupation in 1978
19 April 1925 – 6 December 1997
Eva Rickard was born in Te Kopua, Raglan, in 1925, descending from Tainui. Rickard became most famous for her leadership with the Raglan golf course occupation in 1978. Rickard continued the protest, regarding Maori land grievances in Raglan, of which her mother began in the 1950s. Her dedication to the protest in Raglan saw her get arrested, however her dedication as well as persistence eventually achieved the return of the Tainui Awhiro land which was previously taken by the government and then partially converted into a golf course. This significant action of protest gained media attention which placed Rickard in the public eye.
Rickard worked tirelessly throughout the 1970s to raise awareness of the Maori land grievances, especially in the Tainui region. She stayed an active member of Maori society and in February 1984 Rickard led a protest march to Waitangi. The 2,000 strong hikoi’s purpose was to end the celebration of Waitangi Day until all Maori Treaty grievances were settled.
Rickard joined of Mana Motuhake (Maori self-determination), however was unsuccessful in entering Parliament. She later formed her own political party called Mana Maori which contested for parliament in the 2002 general election seen as a significant Maori party also incorporating smaller parties, Te Tawharau and Piri Wiri Tua.
Rickard is known in New Zealand history as a strong Maori woman, consistently working on equality for Maori. Image 16: Eva Rickard leading the Raglan golf course occupation in 1978