He tangata, he tangata, he tangata

A DigitalNZ Story by National Library of New Zealand

This selection of images is used in the online exhibition ‘Ngā tapuwae o te hīkoi’ on the National Library website.

1975 hikoi, land march, 1970, political activist, Whina Cooper, Tāme Iti

Key figures, including activists, politicians, cultural documenters, and community organisers emerged as inspiring leaders as well as crucial lynchpins for the Māori protest movement in the 1970s and beyond. Many worked tirelessly behind the scenes. The mana of leaders such as Whina Cooper sat alongside younger figures like Tuaiwa (Eva) Rickard, Hana Te Hemara, and Tāme Iti, who were committed to the more radical activism of Ngā Tamatoa and other protest groups.

The combined efforts of multiple iwi, of old and young, conservatives and radicals, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, mobilised public support to tautoko efforts to raise awareness about issues of mana motuhake, justice, and equity for Māori.

Image: Whina Cooper addressing Māori Land March at Hamilton

Whina Cooper addressing Māori Land March at Hamilton

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Nga Tamatoa Tuatoru: Racism out. [Designed by Eruera Nia. 1972]

Nga Tamatoa Tuatoru: Racism out. [Designed by Eruera Nia. 1972]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Group of young Maori on steps of Parliament

Group of young Maori on steps of Parliament

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Hone Tuwhare and others outside Te Reo Powhiri Rātana Church, Te Hāpua

Hone Tuwhare and others outside Te Reo Powhiri Rātana Church, Te Hāpua

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Maori land protesters at Parliament, Wellington

Maori land protesters at Parliament, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: John Miller - 1978 Raglan Golf Course Occupation, Eva Rickard

John Miller - 1978 Raglan Golf Course Occupation, Eva Rickard

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Image: Mrs Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan on her return from International Women's Year conference

Mrs Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan on her return from International Women's Year conference

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Matiu Rata

Matiu Rata

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Joe Regan, Titewhai Harawira, Whina Cooper, Witi McMath and Dave King on the Māori Land March

Joe Regan, Titewhai Harawira, Whina Cooper, Witi McMath and Dave King on the Māori Land March

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Māori Land March ceremonies at Parliament

Māori Land March ceremonies at Parliament

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Bastion Point protester Eruera Nia, Wellington

Bastion Point protester Eruera Nia, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Poet Hone Tuwhare writing in his notepad during a stop on the Māori Land March

Poet Hone Tuwhare writing in his notepad during a stop on the Māori Land March

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: The Minister of Maori Affairs, Duncan MacIntyre, and the leader of Te Roopu Ote Matakite, Whina Cooper, exhange greetings

The Minister of Maori Affairs, Duncan MacIntyre, and the leader of Te Roopu Ote Matakite, Whina Cooper, exhange greetings

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Child sitting on roof of car

Child sitting on roof of car

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Four Maori Land Marchers prepare for the third phase of the march

Four Maori Land Marchers prepare for the third phase of the march

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Māori Land March - Auckland Harbour Bridge

Māori Land March - Auckland Harbour Bridge

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Image: Lyn Doherty, Dave Clarke, and Vivian Hutchinson line up for kai

Lyn Doherty, Dave Clarke, and Vivian Hutchinson line up for kai

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Confontation between Dun Mihaka and Parliamentary officials, Wellington.

Confontation between Dun Mihaka and Parliamentary officials, Wellington.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Leading marchers on the Maori land march, at Kaiwharawhara, Wellington

Leading marchers on the Maori land march, at Kaiwharawhara, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tame Iti addressing hīkoi

Tame Iti addressing hīkoi

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Anti SA tour demonstration

Anti SA tour demonstration

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Portrait of Prince Tui Teka

Portrait of Prince Tui Teka

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Whina Cooper waving from car

Whina Cooper waving from car

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Manaaki Whaanga and Wiremu Kerekere greeting at Maori Leadership Ball, Wellington - Photograph taken by Ross Giblin

Manaaki Whaanga and Wiremu Kerekere greeting at Maori Leadership Ball, Wellington - Photograph taken by Ross Giblin

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: A Māori women's conference at the Wellington Town Hall

A Māori women's conference at the Wellington Town Hall

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Marchers on the road, including a Highland piper

Marchers on the road, including a Highland piper

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu - Photograph taken by Merv Griffiths

Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu - Photograph taken by Merv Griffiths

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Michael King and Barry Barclay filming 'Tangata Whenua'

Michael King and Barry Barclay filming 'Tangata Whenua'

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Betty Wark 1 of Wellesley Str

Betty Wark 1 of Wellesley Str

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Graham Latimer and others at a parliamentary reception in the Maori Affairs Room at Parliament, Wellington

Graham Latimer and others at a parliamentary reception in the Maori Affairs Room at Parliament, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Tame Iti holding pou whenua, accompanied by Whina Cooper, leading Māori Land March along Hamilton street

Tame Iti holding pou whenua, accompanied by Whina Cooper, leading Māori Land March along Hamilton street

Alexander Turnbull Library