Protest by Maori in the 1970s
1975 Hikoi
The hikoi or land march was conducted by Maori in 1975. The march traversed over 30 days, beginning on 14 September, in Te Kapua at the top of the North Island and continuing until reaching its destination of Wellington on 13 October. The significant protest of a hikoi by Maori was a strong action in highlighting the Maori land grievances and loss of Maori land since 1900. The slogan of, ‘not one more acre of Maori land,’ was at the front of the march as it encompassed the message of the protest.
The march was led by the group Te Roopu o te Matakite, meaning ‘those with foresight,’ with Whina Cooper at the forefront. Nga Tamatoa (Young Warriors), a university-based activist group also participated in the hikoi. As the hikoi progressed the starting group of 50 marchers was joined by thousands more as they continued through the North Island and gained more followers by explaining the reasons behind the march at marae and other destinations along the way. The march was estimated to have had between 30,000 and 40,000 participants which made it the single biggest pan-tribal action of the 20th century. Both Maori and Pakeha participated in the hikoi hoping to raise awareness of the devastating loss of Maori land and urge the government to right this wrong and give back the Maori land taken in the past. Image 2: The hikoi crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge 23 September 1975
The land march gained media attention as a significant event of the time, however, the Pakeha journatlists often failed to adequately understand and therefore communicate the key and proper issues that were highlighted by Maori in the protest. As a result, the hikoi was often incorrectly understood by New Zealanders outside of the march.
The hikoi or land march was conducted by Maori in 1975. The march traversed over 30 days, beginning on 14 September, in Te Kapua at the top of the North Island and continuing until reaching its destination of Wellington on 13 October. The significant protest of a hikoi by Maori was a strong action in highlighting the Maori land grievances and loss of Maori land since 1900. The slogan of, ‘not one more acre of Maori land,’ was at the front of the march as it encompassed the message of the protest.
The march was led by the group Te Roopu o te Matakite, meaning ‘those with foresight,’ with Whina Cooper at the forefront. Nga Tamatoa (Young Warriors), a university-based activist group also participated in the hikoi. As the hikoi progressed the starting group of 50 marchers was joined by thousands more as they continued through the North Island and gained more followers by explaining the reasons behind the march at marae and other destinations along the way. The march was estimated to have had between 30,000 and 40,000 participants which made it the single biggest pan-tribal action of the 20th century. Both Maori and Pakeha participated in the hikoi hoping to raise awareness of the devastating loss of Maori land and urge the government to right this wrong and give back the Maori land taken in the past. Image 2: The hikoi crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge 23 September 1975
The land march gained media attention as a significant event of the time, however, the Pakeha journatlists often failed to adequately understand and therefore communicate the key and proper issues that were highlighted by Maori in the protest. As a result, the hikoi was often incorrectly understood by New Zealanders outside of the march.
Te Roopu o Matakite crafted a Memorial Right (type of petition), calling for the protection of remaining Maori land and the eradication of legislation that allowed Maori land to be confiscated by the government. The Memorial Right was signed by 200 kaumatua (elders) and 60,000 Maori and Pakeha.
On 13 October 1975 the hikoi reached parliament in Wellington. However, once reaching parliament conflicting ideas became more prominent amongst the marchers regarding what their next step would be. The unity of the march disintegrated. The unity between the numerous Maori tribes was the key feature of this significant protest and when that was no longer evident the march came to an end. One group of around 60 marchers, against the wishes of Cooper, decided on a sit-in outside of parliament, creating a tent city. Another group went on a march around the North Island's East Coast.
The Memorial Right was presented to Prime Minister, Bill Rowling, although it was able to be ignored by the soon after elected Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon, due to the division amongst the movement and contrasting ideas. The protest march was unable to achieve any of its main goals concerning Maori land grievances. However, the 1975 hikoi succeeded in raising awareness to both Maori and Pakeha about Maori land grievances and became a potent symbol of Maori protest and an inspiration for future Maori actions.
Image 5 (left): Maori kaumatua at the forefront of the hikoi along with other marchers, crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge
On 13 October 1975 the hikoi reached parliament in Wellington. However, once reaching parliament conflicting ideas became more prominent amongst the marchers regarding what their next step would be. The unity of the march disintegrated. The unity between the numerous Maori tribes was the key feature of this significant protest and when that was no longer evident the march came to an end. One group of around 60 marchers, against the wishes of Cooper, decided on a sit-in outside of parliament, creating a tent city. Another group went on a march around the North Island's East Coast.
The Memorial Right was presented to Prime Minister, Bill Rowling, although it was able to be ignored by the soon after elected Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon, due to the division amongst the movement and contrasting ideas. The protest march was unable to achieve any of its main goals concerning Maori land grievances. However, the 1975 hikoi succeeded in raising awareness to both Maori and Pakeha about Maori land grievances and became a potent symbol of Maori protest and an inspiration for future Maori actions.
Image 5 (left): Maori kaumatua at the forefront of the hikoi along with other marchers, crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge
Bastion Point (Takaparawhau) Land Occupation
A 506-day occupation of land at Bastion Point in Orakei, Auckland, was conducted by
the Ngati Whatua tribe and supporters during years 1977 and 1978. Joe Hawke led the
Orakei Maori Action Group in employing this protest action in demonstrating against the alienation
of Ngati Whatua land. The occupation was administered after the government announced a plan
of developing Bastion Point by selling it to a corporate bidder for high-income housing, land of
which was previously confiscated from Ngati Whatua for military purposes. This protest seemed as
the bold move that was needed to prevent the sale of this important Maori land. Methods of using
the legal system and petitions to the government were dismissed due to their failure in gaining
public attention and in the return of the Moari land. Image 8: The occupation of Bastion Point by Maori, protesting that it is Maori land and should be returned.
A core group of 150 protesters from the Orakei Maori Action Group led by Joe Hawke initiated the occupation. Members of the local community unions and other concerned groups also joined in and supported the occupation soon after it started. The land at Bastion Point was filled with tents and with the increased support the tent city became a permanent fixture. Due to the occupation’s radicalism it did not gain the full support of some Maori leaders, including Whina Cooper, and Ngati Whatua kaumatua. The occupation was able to raise awareness of the Maori land grievances in regards to the land at Bastion Point, Orakei.
The Maori occupation of Bastion Point ended on 25 May 1978, due to Justice Speight’s ruling in April that the land was in fact owned by the government and therefore the Maori were trespassing. Consequentially, 800 members of the armed constabulary and soldiers departed Hobsonville air base in a convoy of military vehicles intended to make an end to the Maori protest. The police encircled the occupation and evidentially 220 people were arrested. As bulldozers destroyed the temporary buildings the protestors were removed and the occupation was crippled. As the protestors were removed, the issue concerning Maori land loss was essentially forgotten and disregarded by New Zealand society. The media covered the police operation on television, shown to the entire nation. However, once again the media failed to investigate and portray the real reasons behind the Maori occupation of Bastion Point. Therefore, many New Zealanders only saw the occupation by Maori as another radical action by more radical Maori.
Joe Hawke continued to pursue the Bastion Point land grievance and eventually the Image 10: Maori protesters confronted by the police at
the land was returned. In 1985 the Waitangi Tribunal, despite criticising the land occupation, Bastion Point
recommended the return of Bastion Point and other land to Ngati Whatua as well as compensation amounting to $3million. Later, in July 1988 the government headed by Labour announced that it would carry out the Tribunal’ recommendations.
The Maori occupation of Bastion Point ended on 25 May 1978, due to Justice Speight’s ruling in April that the land was in fact owned by the government and therefore the Maori were trespassing. Consequentially, 800 members of the armed constabulary and soldiers departed Hobsonville air base in a convoy of military vehicles intended to make an end to the Maori protest. The police encircled the occupation and evidentially 220 people were arrested. As bulldozers destroyed the temporary buildings the protestors were removed and the occupation was crippled. As the protestors were removed, the issue concerning Maori land loss was essentially forgotten and disregarded by New Zealand society. The media covered the police operation on television, shown to the entire nation. However, once again the media failed to investigate and portray the real reasons behind the Maori occupation of Bastion Point. Therefore, many New Zealanders only saw the occupation by Maori as another radical action by more radical Maori.
Joe Hawke continued to pursue the Bastion Point land grievance and eventually the Image 10: Maori protesters confronted by the police at
the land was returned. In 1985 the Waitangi Tribunal, despite criticising the land occupation, Bastion Point
recommended the return of Bastion Point and other land to Ngati Whatua as well as compensation amounting to $3million. Later, in July 1988 the government headed by Labour announced that it would carry out the Tribunal’ recommendations.
Raglan (Whaingaroa) Golf Course Occupation
The Raglan Golf Course land occupation by Maori was conducted in response to the confiscation of the Tainui Awhiro Maori land for military purposes during the Second World War. The land was taken from the Tainui Awhiro Maori by the government under the Public Works Act to build an emergency military airfield. After the completion of World War II the land was not returned to the Tainui Awhiro people and part of the land, a 62-acre block, was converted into a golf course for public use in 1969.
Eva Rickard led over 150 protesters in an occupation of the Raglan Golf Course on 12 February 1978. Rickard believed that the bold protest, which had previously been implemented by Maori at Bastion Point, of an occupation would force the government or local council to return the land that was taken. However, once again the police were employed and 18 protesters including Rickard were quickly arrested on the ninth hole of the golf course. After gaining media attention the public were drawn to yet another Maori land grievance. The government eventually agreed to return the land in 1984 after years of protest.
The Raglan Golf Course land occupation by Maori was conducted in response to the confiscation of the Tainui Awhiro Maori land for military purposes during the Second World War. The land was taken from the Tainui Awhiro Maori by the government under the Public Works Act to build an emergency military airfield. After the completion of World War II the land was not returned to the Tainui Awhiro people and part of the land, a 62-acre block, was converted into a golf course for public use in 1969.
Eva Rickard led over 150 protesters in an occupation of the Raglan Golf Course on 12 February 1978. Rickard believed that the bold protest, which had previously been implemented by Maori at Bastion Point, of an occupation would force the government or local council to return the land that was taken. However, once again the police were employed and 18 protesters including Rickard were quickly arrested on the ninth hole of the golf course. After gaining media attention the public were drawn to yet another Maori land grievance. The government eventually agreed to return the land in 1984 after years of protest.
Protesters of the 1970s
“When it eventually happened it began as a very lonely affair. No Maori wanted to host or join us. We had no encouragement. Far from it – we had been warned against provoking a Pakeha backlash, that we would wake the sleeping giant of the State. But a handful of us started out nonetheless with Whina Cooper at the head. By the time we got to Warkworth the mood was changing; marae started to receive and support us. And then they came in their thousands and then tens of thousands. When we got to the Auckland Harbour Bridge there were so many of us, walking in time, that the bridge began to sway, and I was scared we would bring the whole thing down. As we marched to Wellington no marae was big enough to hold us. We walked for weeks, and the day we walked into Wellington we had a larger crowd than I had ever seen. The country was behind us.”
– Donna Awatere, recalling her experiences of the 1975 Maori Hikoi and the significance of the protest on the nation. Furthermore, the Maori and Pakeha support that the movement gained over the march. (Extracted from Ball, Graeme, (2004). Making Kiwis: Greatest Hits of 20th Century New Zealand History. Auckland: New House Publishers).
"It was a very sad day for my family. Army trucks came from town to carry the police. It was all regimental. They marched in lines and surrounded the whare in a big circle. A lot of our family were arrested, our mum and dad, brothers and sister. . . My older brother said we were going for a walk and pitching tents. As a young boy I thought that sounded like fun . . . But it soon kicked in that it wasn’t fun, especially during one of the worst winters New Zealand ever had."
- Te Hira Hawke recalls his experiences of the occupation of Bastion Point, his time living on the protested land and the day when heavy numbers of police arrived and arrested many of his whanau and destroyed their belongings. (Taken from http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/east-bays-courier/454145/Bastion-Pt-30-years-on)
“When it eventually happened it began as a very lonely affair. No Maori wanted to host or join us. We had no encouragement. Far from it – we had been warned against provoking a Pakeha backlash, that we would wake the sleeping giant of the State. But a handful of us started out nonetheless with Whina Cooper at the head. By the time we got to Warkworth the mood was changing; marae started to receive and support us. And then they came in their thousands and then tens of thousands. When we got to the Auckland Harbour Bridge there were so many of us, walking in time, that the bridge began to sway, and I was scared we would bring the whole thing down. As we marched to Wellington no marae was big enough to hold us. We walked for weeks, and the day we walked into Wellington we had a larger crowd than I had ever seen. The country was behind us.”
– Donna Awatere, recalling her experiences of the 1975 Maori Hikoi and the significance of the protest on the nation. Furthermore, the Maori and Pakeha support that the movement gained over the march. (Extracted from Ball, Graeme, (2004). Making Kiwis: Greatest Hits of 20th Century New Zealand History. Auckland: New House Publishers).
"It was a very sad day for my family. Army trucks came from town to carry the police. It was all regimental. They marched in lines and surrounded the whare in a big circle. A lot of our family were arrested, our mum and dad, brothers and sister. . . My older brother said we were going for a walk and pitching tents. As a young boy I thought that sounded like fun . . . But it soon kicked in that it wasn’t fun, especially during one of the worst winters New Zealand ever had."
- Te Hira Hawke recalls his experiences of the occupation of Bastion Point, his time living on the protested land and the day when heavy numbers of police arrived and arrested many of his whanau and destroyed their belongings. (Taken from http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/east-bays-courier/454145/Bastion-Pt-30-years-on)