October this year, marks the fiftieth anniversary of Te Rōpū o te Matakite, the Land March. Many of us will remember iconic images of Dame Whina Cooper leading marchers on a 1050 kilometre journey from Hokianga to the Parliament grounds in Wellington in 1975. There, 79-year-old Dame Whina Cooper delivered the 'Memorial of Rights' to Prime Minister Bill Rowlings, calling for 'not one more acre' of Māori land to be taken.
The exhibition features photographs taken by the Manawatū Standard, including many that were never published.
They cover "Te Roopu o te Matakite" between Whanganui and Bulls on the 5th of October. That night they stopped at Parewahawaha, one of twenty-five maraes stays over the hikoi. On October 6, the marchers entered Palmerston North and made their way to Te Marae o Hine The Square, later moving on to Te Rau o Te Aroha Māori Battalion Hall. The 200-strong contingent rested in Palmerston North.
On October 7, photographs show the marchers leaving the city and on the road to Shannon. Manawatū Standard photographic coverage continued until October 13, when the marchers approached Wellington.
A historic moment and important record of Aotearoa New Zealand's heritage.
Image: Manawatū Evening Standard. (1975). "Te Roopu O Te Matakite Comes to the City", [Black & white negative]. Manawatū Heritage
