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Whina Cooper was born in the Hokianga of Te Rarawa descent, one of fourteen children. She was fortunate to be assisted to attend St Joseph's Màori Girls' School, which enabled her to train as a teacher before returning to her home at Pawarenga. Never one to watch life go by, in her village she taught, farmed, and worked as postmistress and storekeeper. A respected leader, she held high positions in her community, and actively pursued welfare, cultural, and recreational issues at local and national levels.

Whina Cooper was the founding president of the Màori Women's Welfare League, and responsible for initiating a major survey of Màori housing which alerted the government to areas of need. She was noted for her work in land rights, and captured the national imagination when, in 1975, she led the Màori Land March, Te Roopu o te Matakite, from Te Hàpua to Wellington. She gathered thousands of marchers and 60,000 signatures on a memorial of rights to present at parliament a month after setting out. This demonstration of unity helped to set in train a systematic process of acknowledging and redressing the wrongs of more than a century.

Whina Cooper was strong, single-minded, and inspirational, albeit with a sense of mischief. She ignored traditional roles in order to achieve her aims, and set precedents without being aware of it. Her concept of rangatiratanga - leadership - was being out in front, not bound up in organisational matters. She knew every prime minister and used her genius for tactics to make sure she was heard. Whina Cooper had no time for separatism or division, but in her forthright and direct way sought justice for all.

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Related Questions

When was dame Whina Cooper born?

Whina Cooper date of birth - December 9, 1895


Where does dame whina cooper live?

new zealand


Why is Dame Whina Cooper famous?

She was famous because she led a famous march


Who was the prominent maori leader who led a hikoi from northland to Parliament in1975?

Dame Whina Cooper.


What are facts about dame whina cooper?

Yes she is a new Zealand Maori leader and she is related to the Tate family why


Who led the 1975 march in New Zealand?

'Te Whaea O Te Motu', Dame Whina Cooper.


What age did whina cooper die?

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) _ Dame Whina Cooper, a symbol of the modern Maori campaign for social justice and land rights, died Saturday at her home in Panguru. She was 98 years old.


How many children did Dame Whina have?

3


When did Dame Whina Cooper lead the march from Hokianga to Parliament?

"My Big Nanny, Dame Whina Cooper led thousands of Maori people from the North Island of New Zealand all the way to Wellington Parliament, fighting for the rights for Maori land. The actual dates my Mum told me, when she walk with my Big Nanny was around early September 1975. I hope that answers your question."


What is dame whina coopers mihi?

im not sure


What was the famous march called that dame whina cooper led?

The famous march led by Dame Whina Cooper in 1975 is known as the "Hīkoi of 1975." This significant event involved thousands of Māori people walking from Te Hapua in the north of New Zealand to the Parliament in Wellington to protest for Māori land rights and greater recognition of Māori sovereignty. The hīkoi highlighted issues of land loss and the need for justice for Māori communities. It became a pivotal moment in New Zealand's history, raising awareness of Māori issues and rights.


Why did dame whina cooper fight for the rights for the land?

Dame Whina Cooper fought for land rights primarily to advocate for the Māori people's sovereignty and to address the injustices of land confiscation and loss. She believed that land was essential not only for cultural identity and heritage but also for the economic well-being of her people. Her leadership in the 1975 Land March highlighted the urgency of these issues and aimed to raise awareness among both Māori and non-Māori New Zealanders regarding the need for recognition and restitution of Māori land rights.