Mother of the Nation Whina Cooper - The Kiwi Kids' Bookstore

Meet Dame Whina Cooper, the kuia who championed Māori rights and women’s rights and led 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.

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 ...