Dame Whina Cooper: Story In photos

Whina's parents were Heremia Te Wake & Kare Pauro Kawatihi who married in 1894. (Kare was Heremia's 2d wife)

(He'd married his first wife Maraea (Maraia) Topia in 1853 & they had 7 children - four sons & three daughters)

Kare (c.1838-1917) of Te Rarawa & Taranaki descent was born at Te Karaka in Hokianga Harbour on west coast of Northland

(Map of 6 tribes of Muriwhenua: Ngāti Kurī, Ngāi Takoto, Te Pātū, Ngāti Kahu, Te Aupōuri & Te Rarawa)

Heremia (c.1835-1918) was born at Te Karaka to William Hoard (ex-whaler born in Vermont, USA) & Te Oki Mahu of Te Rarawa

(Te Oki's hapū: Ngāti Manawa & Te Kaitūtae.) They'd married in 1832 & Heremia was the 2nd of 11 children.

On 8 Dec 1895, Whina was born at Te Karaka & baptised on 15 Dec at Saint Peters Church in Whakarapa

The white steepled Catholic Church had been built by Heremia, Father McDonald & local iwi; & opened in 1883

In 1897, Whina's sister Heretute was born and they spent their early childhood on the family's farm at Te Karaka

In 1902, Whina began attending Whakarapa Native School at c.7 years & would walk 6 miles from Te Karaka

(Image of farm in Hokianga district)

1911: Whina returned from Napier to Whakarapa to live with her parents & work at their co-operative store

At school, she'd learnt to keep records & accounts, write correspondence, take recitation, cook & sew, & played sport

Whina's father wanted her to marry widowed Tureiti Te Heuheu Tukino V, leader of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, but she refused

Tūreiti's wife Te Rerehau Kahotea had died on 3 Nov 1911. Whina refused to agree to an arranged marriage.

1913-1914: Whina was a trainee teacher at Pawarenga Native School (10 kms north of Whakarapa); then decided to leave

She was the only Māori of 3 teachers; parents often rotated which child attended; & her own community required her help

c.1914: Whina & her father, aided by Northern Māori MP Peter Buck, campaigned against farmer draining Whakarapa mudflats

Farmer Bob Holland's lease was challenged through Parliament & court system as area used to gather seafood & race horses

Buck's successor, Taurekareka (Tau) Henare (1914-38), also intervened until farmer's lease was withdrawn by Marine Dept

Whilst awaiting legal outcome, Whina led a group to fill in drains as these were dug by the farmer & were trespassed

Whina's sister Heretute met Aperahama (Hemi) Witana (b.1896) & they had a child in 1915 before he served overseas in WW1

Witana served as a Private with 22nd Reinforcements of New Zealand Māori (Pioneer) Battalion, embarking on 13 Oct 1917

In 1915, Whina went to Rawene where she became the housekeeper at Catholic presbytery built by Father Charles Kreymborg

Kreymborg (born c.1868 in Netherlands) had joined St. Joseph's Foreign Missionary Society of Mill Hill, London in 1893

Whina considered entering a convent to become a nun but changed her mind on seeing a nun harshly mistreating a child

Image: Church in Rawene built by Kreymborg (known as Pā Karora) who also built other churches, schools & presbyteries

In 1916, Whina returned to Whakarapa to work in family's store & met Native Land Court surveyor Richard Tuhaia Gilbert

Richard was born on 18 Dec 1891 in Waipa & was of Te Waiariki of Ngāti Wai in the Ngunguru district

Whina took Richard to Rawene to be married by Father Kreymborg with Richard's brother Moses as witness on 10 May 1917

As only Whina's parents were told beforehand, the news had a mixed reaction from the community & Whina's siblings

They lived at Whina's parents' home on family farm at Whakarapa. Soon after, Whina's mother Kare died in June 1917.

Whina & Richard helped with the agricultural work & milking the cows; & running the local co-operative store

On 29 Nov 1918, Whina's father Heremia died of influenza & they were evicted from her parents' home by her step-brothers

As her father hadn't changed his will since remarrying, his children from his first marriage inherited his property

Whina, Richard & children went to Te Karaka; built a nīkau whare on family land & Whina worked at the local gumfields

Richard worked as a timber worker at Tapuwae during the week, returning home on the weekends

In 1920, Charles Kreymborg who'd become a Parish Priest offered to lend part of his family inheritance to aid Whina

(Article: Later in June 1920, Kreymborg took 12 months leave to visit his hometown in Holland, Netherlands)

Whina & Richard purchased the family house & farm from her step-brothers & the village store at Whakarapa (Panguru)

They intended to repay the loan to Kreymborg from their income from the farm & shop, which they achieved within 3 years

After repaying the loan, they built a new shop & storeroom, added a post office, & opened branches at Waihou & Mitimiti

Whina imported goods from UK; exported kauri gum & Jew’s ear fungus (Auricularia polytricha) & acquired a launch & truck

Whina & Richard purchased a second farm at Tautehere & replaced their dairy herds

They built new milking sheds, & bred pedigree Jersey cows

Whina also had a leading role in church & community activities

A women’s committee worked with Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart to organise hui, tangihanga and fund-raising

As women were discouraged to speak on the marae, Whina opened her community centre called 'Parish Hall' next to her shop

Women could gather & speak & Whina share her views on community matters etc in the Hall. (Image: Panguru in foreground)

Whina also built a clinic alongside the store to enable medical services to be more readily available

Patients were seen by Dr G. M. Smith’s Hokianga Health Service staff team who were based at the Rawene Hospital

In 1928, Whina discovered Richard & her married sister Heretute had an affair. However, Whina decided to stay with him.

Family rift was included in film "Whina" (2022). (Heretute was still married to Aperahama Witana & they had 4 children.)

Whina's sporting interests: playing hockey, netball, table tennis, fishing, shooting, & coaching rugby & basketball

Image: Whina & companion wearing kahu huruhuru possibly at a sports event in 1930s-40s

On 7 Nov 1928, the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act set up the Native Land Development scheme

Following the passage of the Act, the Govt began offering state-funded loans to help Māori develop & farm their own land

On 10 Dec 1928, Sir Āpirana Ngata became Minister of Native Affairs & appointed Bill Cooper as a Land Officer

Bill had been on 1927 Royal Commission on confiscated Māori land & his new role was land consolidation in Tai Tokerau

Bill (William) Turakiuta Cooper of Ngāti Kahungunu & European descent was born at Muriwai, Poverty Bay in c.1885

His wife was Margaret (Maggie) Te Uira Paewa whom he married in Gisborne in 1918 & they had no children

In June 1932, Whina attended Land Development Conference held at Rotorua at the invite of Ngata & she met Cooper

Ngata showed how the 1928 legislation enabled Māori to borrow money to clear, drain, grass & fence land

In Aug 1932, Sir Āpirana spoke at a public meeting at Whina's Parish Hall to launch Māori land development schemes

Ngata had asked Whina's opinion at Rotorua & she answered: “Give us the help (money) and we'll beat you.” (Te Ao Hou)

After the meeting, which Cooper had attended, Hokianga district was partitioned into 11 Māori land development schemes

Of the 98,000 acres in the Hokianga district, 7,000 acres were in Panguru, Waihou & Motuti

Whina became the official supervisor of Panguru & Waihou where ohu (communal working bees) were used to establish farms

In Panguru, a working bee of 80 carried out community farmwork, from one farm to the next—clearing, fencing, & drainage

For advice on breeding stock, Whina contacted Princess Te Puea who'd aided communal dairy farming in Franklin district

Princess Te Puea sent a breeding sow and boar to Whina to help start a pig-farming venture

Whina publicly announced she was pregnant to Bill Cooper & that they intended to marry once he obtained a divorce

Whina was 7 months pregnant to Bill who was still married to his wife Margaret with whom he did not have children

As Bill was already married & Whina a devout Catholic, the news caused a scandal & they decided to leave

(Bill had been raised by his parents within the Anglican faith.)

After obtaining a separation from his wife, Bill & Whina moved to Kamo in Northland & by 1937 had their 2d child

They raised Whina's two Gilbert children & their son Hohepa (Joseph) (b.1935) & daughter Hinerangi (b.29 May 1937)

Whina & Bill arranged renovation of Te Porowini meeting house at Ōtira Marae at Moerewa (56.33kms east of Panguru)

Te Porowini was built in 1876 at Taumārere & moved to Ōtira Marae in 1904

Bill also became involved with building other Ōtiria meeting houses in his Land Officer role with Dpt of Native Affairs

Bill's involvement was later acknowledged in an article in Te Ao Hou (No. 3, Summer 1953)

6 Feb 1940: Whina organised catering for opening of meeting house Te Whare Rūnanga at Waitangi

It was opened on the centennial date of the signing of Treaty. Whina crossed threshold first in tapu removal ceremony.

On 25 Jan 1946, Whina spoke at pōwhiri welcoming home members of (28) Māori Battalion at Te Kotahitanga marae at Kaikohe

On 1 April 1946, Māori Social and Economic Advancement Act 1945 came into force to set up Tribal Districts & Committees

Aims were social, economic, health & general well-being of the Māori Community, overseen by Dpt of Native Affairs

1946-1952: Whina was secretary & trustee of the Panguru Tribal Executive Committee

She worked on regional advocacy, supporting community welfare, local farming initiatives, & Māori land development

April 1947: Whina was elected president of North Hokianga Rugby Union

At the time she was the first known woman to be elected to such a role in NZ (Te Ara)

In late 1940s, Bill & Whina bought the 124-acre farm Tautoro from the Pākehā owner

William's twin brother, Eru, and his family came to live at Panguru on the Tautehere property Whina had bought in 1920s

The Coopers campaigned for a district high school & Whina donated six acres of flat land at Panguru

The only school operating at Panguru was St Joseph's School

However, the Govt agreed to only build a single-room school in addition to still operating St Joseph's School

In August 1949, the community decided to relocate St Joseph's School onto the land donated by the Coopers

The school opened in 1950

One of MWWL's first initiatives was a survey of Māori housing in Auckland in July 1952

Outcome was Auckland City Council & Dept of Māori Affairs improving quota of state and council housing for Māori tenants

On 12 Oct 1952, Princess Te Puea died & tangi attended by Whina, PM Sidney Holland & Opposition leader Walter Nash

Govt officials also present: Min of Māori Affairs Ernest Corbett & MPs Hilda Ross & Iriaka Rātana

On 21-23 April 1953: MWWL's conference was held in Wellington & Committees reported on social work & arts & crafts

Conference was opened by Minister of Māori Affairs Ernest Corbett

By mid-1950s, Whina involved with establishing over 300 MWWL branches, 88 district councils & 4000 members

Whina & members worked on Māori housing, child welfare, employment, education, and health issues

1950s: Whina was also President of Panguru Branch of Federated Farmers

Overseas inquiries tried to "trace any women holding down similar offices and none could be found". (Te Ao Hou)

1957: Whina retired as Māori Women's Welfare League President

On 30 June 1962, Whina attended ordination of Rev. Henare Arekatera Tate of Panguru as the second Māori priest

Approx. 2000 Māori took part altogether in Tate's first mass & various functions in Auckland, including at Trades Hall

On 16 March 1963, Whina contested the by-election for Northern Māori electorate & lost to Matiu Rata of Labour Party

Whina stood as an Independent and came sixth, receiving 257 votes to Rata’s 3,090

In July 1963, Whina attended the Māori Women's Welfare League annual conference which was held in Rotorua

Photo taken by Ans Westra

Whina had led two years of fundraising - concerts, raffles etc - for the Auckland Māori Catholic Society

Image: Contestant in the 'queen carnival' being run to raise money to complete Te Unga Waka

1968: Whina organised a Waitangi Day pageant at Carlaw Park on the significance of the Treaty

1974: Women from Te Unga Waka joined others at a Māori Women's Conference held in Wellington

The Ngāti Wai Action Committee was set up to oppose acquisition of 4500 acres under Town and Country Planning Act 1953

The Crown's legislation required local Councils to create district planning schemes to zone & regulate all land use

The Committee also regarded the Māori Affairs Amendment Act 1967 as the "last land grab" by the Crown

Any Māori freehold land with four or fewer owners was compulsorily converted to "General Land" for public spaces

The legal adviser to the Committee was lawyer Winston Peters (b.1945 in Whāngarei) whose lineage included Ngāti Awa

(He intended to stand for National Party in Northern Māori electorate in Nov 1975, which Labour's Matiu Rata retained)

Whina was living with her son Joseph Cooper & family at Panmure, & began planning the land rights action with his help

Whina decided on movement's name: Te Rōpū o te Matakite – "Those with Foresight "

The  intent was “... to help the blind, to help those with no perception to see ahead the future.”

Joseph drafted the Memorial of Rights which asked the State to preserve the mana & Tūrangawaewae of the Māori people

As well as writing the text, Joseph also drew the graphic. (The document was later signed by 200 elders.)

The hui was attended by iwi representatives, organisations & activists

Organisations included Kingitanga, the Māori Women's Welfare League, & Māori Organisation on Human Right (MOOHR)

Graham Latimer attended in his capacity as President of the New Zealand Māori Council

Latimer had been elected President in 1973 after serving as Vice-President from 1969

Activists included Ngā Tamatoa who'd formed at Univ of Auckland in 1970 to promote Māori rights & Treaty enforcement

Members included Hana & Syd Jackson, Titewhai Harawira & son Hone, & Tāme Iti

The date of the Land March (15 Sept 1975) was Hana Jackson & Ngā Tamatoa's idea to coincide with Māori Language Week

(Audio interview with Hana on 15 Sept 1975: 5:14 mins)

Ngā Tamatoa & Te Reo Māori Society were involved with Te Petihana Reo Māori (the Māori Language Petition) in Sept 1972

Outcome was creation of Māori Language Day on 14 Sept 1972 which was expanded to Māori Language Week in 1975

An itinerary for the Land March to present the Memorial of Rights to Parliament was prepared by Te Rōpū o te Matakite

Organiser contact names were Whina Cooper and Witi McMath. (Carmen Kirkwood was Whina's secretary.)

Route from Northland to Wellington was prepared for the Land March which incorporated stopping overnight at marae

(When the marchers stopped overnight at different marae, Whina to lead discussions about the purpose of the march)

Co-organisers included Witi McMath & Tama Poata (see image), Titewhai Harawira & Joseph Parata

To promote the Land March, a flyer was written which was also published in the Auckland newspaper 'City News' in June

Text was written by journalist & activist Vivian Hutchinson who also worked for the City News

A booklet was also issued by Te Rōpū o te Matakite explaining "Why we march"

Contact name was Mrs Titiwhae Harawira whose address & phone number were given

A Petition was prepared to gather signatures (names & addresses) during the Land March

Ministry of Transport arranged for Chief Traffic Offficers in Districts to liaise with Land March representatives

Letter (17 Sept 1975) from Ministry of Transport to Minister of Māori and Island Affairs

Discussions were also held between the Police and Land March organisers on safety issues

Letter (23 Sept) from Min. of Police to Min. of Māori Affairs set out Police safety measures & medical aid for marchers

23 Aug 1975: Article "Final Battle Ahead" by Pauline Ray published in Listener (v.79: n.1864: p.18-19)

The photo of Whina which appeared alongside the article was taken by Robin Morrison in June 1975 for the NZ Listener

25 Aug 1975: Documentary "Encounter - This land is ours" (27:35 mins) screened on TV2 before the Land March

Includes speeches by Whina & footage of her leading Matakite supporters on a bus trip from Auckland to Kaikohe

On 9 Sept 1975, the poem 'The New Zealand Land March on Wellington' was written by Hone Tuwhare who joined the march

c.Sept 1975: Three page leaflet on the Land March created by Te Ropu Ote Matakite

Includes information on hīkoi background, guidelines, & North Island itinerary

They stayed overnight at Te Hāpua in readiness to set off on the march the next day

Photo shows them bedded down inside Te Reo Mihi wharenui

On Sunday 14 Sept 1975, Whina & 50 marchers set off from Te Hāpua on the 1,100km hikoi to Parliament in Wellington

In a flyer dated 14 Sept 1975, Ngā Tamatoa wrote of its support for the Land March starting in Māori Language Week

Close-up image of the carving on the pou whenua

The pou whenua was carved by Moka Puru who'd married Whina's daughter Hinerangi

The pou whenua was not allowed to touch the ground until land grievances were settled

Excerpt from TVNZ film showing Whina walking with marchers (39 secs)

(Audio of one of the marchers explaining his reasons for taking part.)

17 Sept 1975: Being greeted on arrival at Ōtiria Marae

At each marae, Whina led discussions about the purpose of the hikoi & encouraged others to join in

c.17-18 Sept 1975: Poet Hone Tuwhare during a stop on the Land March between Ōtiria & Hikurangi

c.18-19 Sept 1975: Schoolchildren watch the marchers pass by

Marchers trained with the military before crossing the Harbour Bridge - one step in front of the other to avoid sway

On 23 Sept 1975, Whina & the marchers crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge

Pakeha also joined Maori to participate in the hikoi

Marching down Queen Street, Auckland

Passing through College Hill, Auckland

On the left in the red tracksuit is Whina's son-in-law Moka Puru who carved the pou which is being carried by Joe Hawke

View of Whina in car during the hikoi through Auckland

The badge "Support Maori Land March" was distributed & worn by activists, supporters, trade unionists & NZUS, etc

This badge belonged to activist Rona Bailey (1914-2005)

Sticker showing an illustration of a tokotoko (carved walking stick) was designed by Vivian Hutchinson

sticker reads: "Maori Land March on Parliament, Sept/Oct 1975, Te Roopu Ote Matakite"

Marcher wearing the sticker

26 Sept 1975: Māori Land March along Victoria Street in Hamilton

Tame Iti carrying the pou whenua, accompanied by Whina Cooper, Moka Puru, and others

Whina Cooper and kaumatua seated while Tame Iti speaks at Hamilton

Close-up of Whina wearing kahu huruhuru at Hamilton

28 Sept 1975: Washing during a rest day at Te Kūiti Pā

30 Sept 1975: Women at Otoko Marae (40 kms north of Whanganui) prepare meal for the marchers who'd be staying overnight

1 Oct 1975: Marchers gathered outside Tauakira meeting-house at Otoko Marae

The march stopped at 25 marae, gathering signatures for a Memorial of Rights

Marchers belongings at Otoko Marae

3 Oct 1975: Arriving outside the temple at Rātana Pā which lies south-east of Whanganui

6 Oct 1975: Turning from Broadway and heading towards the Post Office entrance to the Square at Palmerston North

They were greeted with prayers, hymns & welcoming speeches by locals & Rangitane Māori Committee patron Robert Governor

Arrival at the Square in Palmerston North draws spectators

Hīkoi welcomed by a large crowd at Te Rau Aroha Māori Battalion Hall in Palmerston North

Staying overnight at Te Rau o Te Aroha Māori Battalion Hall

8 Oct 1975: Food table set out in a tent at Poutu Marae, Shannon

11 Oct 1975: Whina speaking on Takapuwahia Marae, Porirua

The marchers turned into the Hutt motorway from the Ngauranga Gorge

It took an 1.5 hours to complete the Porirua-Wellington motorway stage

Māori land march nearing its destination in Wellington

Aerial view of the Māori Land March crowd at Parliament grounds

Parliamentary welcome

L-R: Matiu Rata, Whetū Tirikātene-Sullivan, Hārata Ria Te Uira Solomon, Sally Marshall & Tarawara Kātene

Whina Cooper speaking at the Parliamentary welcome

Whai Ngata's recording of the speeches made outside Parliament (31:03 mins)

Whina presented the Memorial of Rights & petition to Labour PM Bill Rowling & National Party leader Rob Muldoon

The Memorial of Rights was signed by 200 Māori elders & the Petition sheet was signed by 60,000 people

Image of the Petition & the satchel in which it was carried to Parliament

A 'Māori Embassy' was set up in tents by c.60 protesters to maintain pressure on the Govt which lasted 2 months

Activist Tame Iti & others had been inspired by the Aboriginal Tent Embassy established in Canberra in 1972

Whina publicly distanced herself from the 'Embassy' as she felt this desecrated the "sacredness" & dignity of the hīkoi

On 29 Nov 1975, Rob Muldoon's National Party defeated Bill Rowling's incumbent Labour Party at the polls

It was the first general election where 18-20 year olds & all permanent residents were also eligible to vote

Whina sent a telegram to incoming National Party PM Rob Muldoon saying the splinter group had no mandate from her group

On 24 Dec 1975, the protesters were evicted by the police & the 'Māori Embassy' tents dismantled. (See film: 6:35 mins)

The National Government's Cabinet Ministers included Duncan MacIntyre who was appointed Minister of Māori Affairs

(Winston Peters was unsuccessful for National in Northern Māori electorate which was retained by Labour's Matiu Rata.)

On 12 Feb 1976, Te Rōpū o te Matakite Aotearoa delegation held talks on Māori land issues with new National Govt

Meeting included PM Rob Muldoon & Min. of Māori Affairs Duncan MacIntyre in Parliament's Māori Affairs Committee Room

As the meeting did not lead to immediate legislative halts to all land sales, other land protests escalated

Protests included Raglan Golf Course campaign with Eva Rickard & Bastion Point occupation led by Joe Hawke

In Aug 1978, Whina shared her work with the Māori Women's Welfare League during interview with Alwyn Owen (4 min 22 sec)

Excerpt from "Herea Te Tangata Ki Te Whenua - Bind the people to the land) broadcast on RNZ Spectrum: 24 & 31 Aug 1978

1978: Audio of Dame Whina talking about her Christian faith and the Land March (15:26 mins)

Audio is an excerpt from radio documentary programmes Spectrum 280 & 281 by Alwyn Owen

Prime Minister Robert Muldoon became a great friend of Dame Whina

Whina often stayed with Muldoon's family at their Hatfield Beach bach near Orewa, & they shared a love of gardening

Wore "raukura" (clusters of feathers worn as hair ornaments)

Photos of Whina on Waitangi Day were taken by Ans Westra

Another view of Whina on Waitangi Day by Ans Westra

During 19 April 1982 - 3 Feb 1983, Michael King met with Dame Whina Cooper to gather material for her biography

The recorded interviews are held by Alexander Turnbull Library. "Whina: A Biography of Whina Cooper" was published 1983.

Michael King's "Whina: A biography of Whina Cooper" was published by Hodder & Stoughton

19 Nov 1983: Whina at the book launch of her biography which was held at the Auckland Museum

Event was held in the Māori Hall (now Te Marae Ātea Māori Court) & Ngāpuhi leader Sir James Henare was the guest speaker

Speaking at Waitangi in 1985

April 1987: With family and friends at the Polynesian Festival at Tamaki College

5 May 1987: Attended Court of Appeal in Wellington to witness Māori Council v Attorney-General over land transfers

Outcome: Crown to pay heed to previous Māori ownership & Treaty principles when wanting to transfer land to SOEs

On 30 Sept 1987: NZ TV series "This is your life" hosted by Bob Parker celebrated Dame Whina Cooper

22 Nov 1987: Whina present during Pope John Paul's visit to Auckland Domain

19 Feb 1988: Whina speaks at the opening ceremony of Auckland University Marae

Auckland University Marae, Tane-nui-a-Rangi, Waipapa

Whina during the opening ceremony

Photo by Gil Hanly

1988: Whina spoke at a Parliamentary event on the future of the Dpt of Māori Affairs (1:30 mins)

Govt's April 1988 policy green paper 'He Tirohanga Rangapū' (Partnership Perspectives) had proposed devolution & closure

Jan 1990: Whina opened 14th Commonwealth Games in Auckland

Whina meets young people of the Commonwealth at the Te Puea Memorial Marae, Mangere

Whina's message: "‘Let us all remember that the Treaty was signed so that we could all live as one nation in Aotearoa"

1990: Whina received the New Zealand Commemoration Medal o celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty

Also known as the Sesquicentennial Medal Medal, it was awarded to 3,632 people

1 July 1991: In the Queen's Birthday Honours, Whina became twentieth appointee to the Order of New Zealand (ONZ)

NZ's highest civil honour. See: https://gazette.howison.co.nz/nzg/1991/issue/98/page/2191

Sept 1993: Whina was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal

Awarded to: "Dame Whina COOPER, ONZ, DBE, JP, of Hokianga"

20 Sept 1993: At Māori Women's Welfare League book launch for Te Tiratanga Tatau Tatau, Alexandra Park

1994: Whina organised a memorial stone for suffragist Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia at her north Hokianga birthplace

(In May 1893, Meri addressed Māori Parliament - Māori women be given the vote & be eligible to sit in Māori Parliament)

Hikoi planned for 11 June 2021 against Far North District Council's plans to reclassify significant natural areas (SNAs)

On receiving negative feedback, the Council had decided to pause its SNAs plans, but community wanted it scrapped

Whina's daughter Hinerangi (aged 84) & c.1500 joined the hīkoi to present petition to Councll's offices in Kaikohe

Petition calling for the Council to stop, rather than pause SNAs was presented to FNDC councillor Moko Tepania

On 12 June 2021. RNZ reported the Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson supported the call for a rethink on SNAs

Outcome was Govt suspended SNAs until Resource Management Act 1991 updated

On 9 March 2023, a Waitangi Tribunal draft stage 2 report for Northland Treaty claims was handed over at Waitangi

Report's recommendations included the Crown to apologise to Te Raki [Northern] Māori & return Crown-owned land

22 Sept 2026: Resource Management Act to be replaced with Planning Act & Natural Environment Act

The Bills for the two new Acts passed 3rd reading on 22 Sept & were to receive their Royal Assent to become law

In March 2020, City Rail Link (CRL) opened poll to name Auckland central tunnel boring machine after inspirational woman

Poll: Dame Whina Cooper, Antarctic scientist Dr Margaret Bradshaw & Georgina Beyer (World's 1st transgender Mayor & MP)

4 Dec 2020: CRL's tunnel boring machine named after pollster winner Dame Whina Cooper was unveiled

(Machine to drill twin 3.45km tunnels between Waitematā & Maungawhau Stations, which later opened on 11 Sept 2026)

At unveiling, meaning behind the naming was shared by CRL's Chief Executive & intent to forge relationships with Māori

Whina's family had given permission to use her name & daughter Hinerangi spoke about her mother & the tunnelling project

1975: Te Roopu o te Matakite march on Parliament

1983: Koha - Whina Cooper (NZ On Screen interview in two parts)

1983: Gary McCormick travels in Hokianga includes an interview with Dame Whina Cooper

24 Aug 1978 (Part 1): RNZ Spectrum: Whina discusses with Alwyn Owen her life & work with Māori Women's Welfare League

31 Aug 1978 (Part 2) of Whina's discussion with Owen ("Herea Te Tangata Ki Te Whenua - Bind the people to the land")

19 Apr 1982: Dame Whina Cooper interviewed by Michael King

6 March 1986: Sir James Henare interviewed by Michael King about Dame Whina Cooper

2015: Panellists Cyril Chapman, Vivian Hutchinson & David Williams reflect on their involvement in the land march

2016: RadioNZ article "Not one more acre" - Northland kuia Titewhai Harawira interviewed about Whina and the land march

2017: Interview with author Hannah Jewell whose book includes Dame Whina Cooper

2018: Interview with Haami Piripi who participated in the hikoi as a teen

1978: "Go Girl: A Storybook of Epic NZ Women" by Barbara Else, which includes Dame Whina Cooper

1987: Written by Michael King & published by New Zealand. Department of Education, School Publications Branch

1987: "Women: Today & yesterday" by Florence Keene. (Biographies of 34 women who live or lived in Northland.)

Te Ara - Dictionary of New Zealand biography provides information (compiled in 2000)

2003: Published in 'Harpies & Heroines' book by the New Zealand Cartoon Archive

2004: "Hīkoi: Forty Years of Māori Protest" by Aroha Harris

2018: Our Wāhine - Dame Whina Cooper

2021: Includes Dame Whina Cooper

2025: Picture book "Mother of the Nation: Whina Cooper and the Long Walk for Justice" by David Hill (See Interview)

2025: "Matakite: the 1975 Māori land march : a 50th anniversary memoir" by Vivian Hutchinson

Papers Past: Articles in digitised early NZ newspapers (19th & 20th C.), magazines & Parliamentary Papers etc

Wikipedia article on Whina Cooper

2015: Search engine Google marked 120th birthday of Whina Cooper with image by doodler Olivia Huynh seen by NZ searchers

NZHistory: Biographies: Whina Cooper

2019: "1975 Land hikoi: Tuia Mātauranga Curiosity Card" (DNZ story compiled by National Library Services to Schools)