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13 October
1975 Whina Cooper leads land march to Parliament
About 5000 marchers arrived at Parliament and presented a petition signed by 60,000 people to Prime Minister Bill Rowling. The primary aim of the march was to call for a halt to the alienation of Maori land.
Te Roopu o te Matakite (Those with Foresight) was launched at a hui convened by Te Rarawa leader Whina Cooper at Mangere Marae in early 1975. Its creation stemmed from concerns over the seemingly relentless alienation of Maori land, and the control of the remaining 1.2 million hectares in Maori hands. Cooper believed it was time to make the government aware of Maori grievances in a more visible manner. Te Roopu o te Matakite aimed to unite Maori across iwi boundaries.
After six months of planning, 50 marchers left Te Hapua in the far north on 14 September for the 640-km walk to Wellington. They were led by Whina Cooper who was approaching 80 years old. Rallying behind the catch-cry of 'Not one more acre of Maori land', the hikoi quickly grew in strength. As it approached towns and cities local people joined for a short while to offer moral support. The marchers stopped overnight at 25 different marae, where Cooper led discussions about the purpose of the march. By helping to politicise large numbers of Maori, the impact of this hikoi went far beyond its original intention. It represented a reassertion of Maori identity.
By 23 September thousands of marchers were approaching Auckland. Media interest and attention had also gathered momentum. When Ngati Whatua leader Joe Hawke led the hikoi over the Harbour Bridge he did so in the full glare of the national media. This was to be repeated as thousands marched along the motorway into Wellington on 13 October.
By the time the marchers reached Parliament, 60,000 signatures had been gathered for the memorial of rights. At the end of the march, though, Matakite collapsed as various factions within the group sought alternative ways of continuing their protest. Whina Cooper publically distanced herself from one group which established a tent embassy on the steps of Parliament. Another group went on a march around the East Coast. It is testament to Cooper’s personal mana that for the best part of eight months she had managed to hold such a diverse group together.
In the aftermath of this march, there were other high-profile protests over the loss of Maori land – including the occupation of Bastion Point (1977) and the Raglan golf course (1978).
Image: Whina Cooper (DNZB)
