Statue of Dame Whina Cooper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Dame Whina Cooper |
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|---|---|
| Artist | Jimi Hills |
| Year | 2020 |
| Type | bronze |
| Location | Panguru, New Zealand |
The Statue of Dame Whina Cooper is a special artwork in Panguru, New Zealand. It celebrates the life of Dame Whina Cooper, who was a very important Māori leader and fought for land rights for her people.
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Honoring a Māori Leader
This statue helps everyone remember Dame Whina Cooper. She was a strong voice for Māori people. She worked hard to protect their land and culture.
Who Was Dame Whina Cooper?
Dame Whina Cooper was born in 1895. She was a respected elder, known as a kuia. She dedicated her life to helping Māori communities. She also worked to keep Māori traditions alive.
The Famous Land March
The statue shows a famous moment from history. It is based on a photo from the 1975 Māori land march. This march was a long walk across New Zealand. Dame Whina led people to protest for Māori land rights.
She walked 1100 kilometers (about 680 miles). She started from Te Hāpua in the far north. The march ended in Wellington, the capital city. Many people joined her along the way.
The statue shows Dame Whina holding her granddaughter's hand. Her granddaughter, Irenee Cooper, was three years old. This image became a symbol of the march. It showed the importance of protecting land for future generations.
Creating the Statue
The New Zealand Government asked for this statue to be made. The artist who created it is Jimi Hills. He is from the Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe, and Te Whānau a Upokorehe tribes. He made the statue from bronze.
Where to Find the Statue
The statue is in Panguru, New Zealand. It stands in front of Waipuna Marae. A marae is a special meeting place for Māori people.
The statue was officially revealed on February 2, 2020. Dame Whina's son, Joe Cooper, was there. The Prime Minister at the time, Jacinda Ardern, also attended the event.
