1975 Māori Land March (Hīkoi)

Introduction

• The 1975 Māori Land March was a significant protest in New Zealand aimed to draw attention to the loss and confiscation of Māori land.
• Began at Te Hapua in the North Island and ended in Wellington, covering 1000 kilometers over 30 days.
• The slogan was "Not one more acre of Māori land."

Māori Connection to Land

• Whenua (land) is central to Māori identity, connecting them to their ancestors and future generations.
• Kaitiakitanga: guardianship role over the land.
• Tangata whenua (people of the land) have authority due to ancestral connections.

Historical Context

Early Legislation

• Early laws encouraged European settlement and individualised Māori land ownership.
• Native Lands Act 1862 and 1865 facilitated sales and fragmented ownership.
• Native Land Act 1873 eliminated communal ownership.

Land Confiscation

• 1863: New Zealand Settlements Act enabled confiscation of land from tribes in rebellion.
• Resulted in significant loss of land for tribes like Waikato and Ngāti Hau.

The Land Wars

• British and colonial forces fought Māori to open North Island land for settlement.
• Wars resulted in high Māori casualties and further land confiscations.

Parihaka Protest

• A peaceful settlement in western Taranaki symbolizing resistance to land confiscation.
• Invaded by troops in 1881.

The 1975 Māori Land March

Planning and Execution

• Idea to dramatise Māori demands and aspirations.
• Led by Dame Whina Cooper, initiated from a hui at Māngere Marae.
• 60,000 signatures collected on a petition as a Memorial Right.

The March

• Began on 14 September 1975, led by 79-year-old Dame Whina Cooper.
• Gained support as it progressed through towns and cities.
• Reached Wellington on 13 October 1975.

Outcomes

• Presentation of a petition to Prime Minister Bill Rowling.
• Request to repeal statutes alienating land and invest remaining land in Māori.
• Led to the creation of the Waitangi Tribunal in 1975.

Tent City in Wellington

• After the march, some protesters set up a Māori embassy and occupied Parliament grounds.
• Symbolised ongoing Māori activism, preceding protests like Bastion Point and the Raglan golf course.

Other Significant Land Protests

• Bastion Point and Raglan golf course protests were major events following the march.
• Recent protests include the Foreshore and Seabed Hīkoi and the Ihumātao protest.

Quick Facts

• Dame Whina Cooper was a central figure, founding president of the Māori Women's Welfare League.
• The march was similar to the Trail of Broken Treaties by Native Americans in 1972.
• Travelled 1000 kilometers from Te Hapua to Wellington.

Glossary

• Hapū: kinship group, subtribe.
• Kaitiakitanga: guardianship.
• Kīngitanga: Māori King movement.
• Iwi: tribe or people.

Resources

• A range of resources are available for further study including books, videos, and online articles.
• Teaching resources and image galleries enrich understanding of the march’s impact.

This summary provides a concise overview of the key aspects of the 1975 Māori Land March, illustrating its significance and historical context.