Whina Cooper

Dame Whina Cooper ONZ DBE (born Hōhepine Te Wake; 9 December 1895 – 26 March 1994) was a New Zealand kuia (Māori elder), who worked for many years for the rights of her people, and particularly to improve the lot of Māori women. She is remembered for leading the 1975 Māori land march from Te Hāpua to Wellington, a distance of 1,100 km (680 mi), at the age of 79.

Her wide influence and nationally recognized activity led her to be acknowledged with awards in both the British (Imperial) and New Zealand Royal Honours Systems, and by her own people, who bestowed the title Te Whaea o te Motu ('Mother of the Nation') upon her. She is the subject of the 2022 film Whina.

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