The tiny rural settlement of Panguru has a big name to its history- the amazing activist Dame Whina Cooper. One of 14 children born near there in 1895, she was originally thought to be a boy who might not live and hastiliy named Joseph by her father. On discovering his new child was a daughter who was going to survive after all, her name was changed to Josephine and then Whina by her family.
Lessons of hard work taught her by her father stood Dame Whina in good stead. She turned her hand to many occupations over the years including teacher, storekeeper and post mistress. When the occasion called she was also a farmer, truck driver and motor mechanic. She undertook a rare job for a woman in those days - the position of president of the Hokianga Rugby Union. This required administration of the affairs of 26 teams! She was also president of the Panguru branch of Federated Farmers and became the first president of the Maori Womens Welfare League. In her 80th year, Dame Whina lead the famous Land March from Te Hapua to Parliament to protest ongoing loss of Maori lands.
In 1983 she returned to Panguru, still working to find employment for her whanau there. One of her most famous quotes at age 88 was, "I will die fighting for my people!"
Panguru today is a secluded rural settlement nestled under the Warawara Forest with a charm all its own. Dame Whina's beautiful marae is being restored so it can be used more by tangata whenua and manuhiri. It is well worth a visit to this significant Northland place, within easy reach of Rawene or Broadwood.
Dame Whina's marae - Credit: Sioux
3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."