WHINA COOPER
1895-1994
Inspired by her father’s role as a community leader, Whina Cooper showed a similar flare for public service. Loaned the money to buy both her parents’ home and community store, Cooper soon grew the business, importing goods from the UK and adding a post office. Other branches were opened and also a clinic and community centre where women who could not talk in marae would be allowed to speak. Cooper became such a force that she was a key voice in Sir Āpirana Ngata’s land development schemes and later, and most famously, led the Māori Land March to combat further alienation.