Whina Cooper

Māori rights activist who led the 1975 Land March, revitalizing Indigenous land rights movements in New Zealand.

Dame Whina Cooper (1895–1994) emerged as a pivotal figure in the Māori land rights movement. Born in northern New Zealand, she began advocating for Indigenous communities in the 1930s, co-founding the Māori Women’s Welfare League in 1951. Her leadership reached its zenith in 1975 when, at age 79, she spearheaded the 1,100-kilometer Land March from Te Hāpua to Wellington, demanding the return of confiscated Māori lands. The march, culminating in a petition with 60,000 signatures, forced the government to address systemic inequalities.

Cooper’s activism blended traditional Māori values with modern political strategy. She famously stated, ‘Not one more acre of Māori land should be taken’, a mantra that reshaped New Zealand’s policies on Indigenous rights. Her efforts laid groundwork for the Waitangi Tribunal’s expansion in 1985 to investigate historical grievances. Documentaries like ‘Whina’ (2022) immortalize her legacy, while her quotes inspire global Indigenous movements. Dame Whina’s unwavering resolve proves that age and gender are no barriers to transformative change.