Mother of Nation: Whina Cooper

Meet Dame Whina Cooper, the kuia who championed Māori rights, women’s rights and led a a famous hīkoi for positive change.

The true story of one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most exceptional leaders and a courageous wahine toa, who united thousands of Māori and Pākehā to address injustices, and whose mana and determination continue to inspire us today.

“[David Hill’s]stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the reader about some aspect of our amazing country and our people.” Gisborne Herald
ONE NIGHT, WHINA DREAMT SHE WAS ON A BOAT, PULLING A CHILD FROM THE SEA. SHE DECIDED THE BOAT WAS HER JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE, AND THE CHILD WAS ALL FUTURE TAMARIKI . . .

When Whina was very young, her father knew she was a born leader.
At 18, she organised her first protest to save iwi land.
At 56, she helped found the Māori Women’s Welfare League.
And at 79, she walked an incredible 1000 kilometres to Parliament
to deliver a message:
Not One More Acre of Māori Land.

Whina was an exceptional speaker, farmer and sportswoman. She could organise events at the drop of a hat. And she would get on the phone to tell the Prime Minister exactly what she thought.

Written and illustrated specially for children, this is the true story of an extraordinary woman whose energy and mana drove many successful campaigns for Māori rights. Her leadership in her community radiated out to all corners of Aotearoa, and her legacy lives on 50 years after her famous hīkoi.

Māori language edition available - TE WHAEA O TE MOTU, translated by Stacey Morrison.