"Whatungarongarohe tangata, toitū te whenua." (Man comes and goes, the land is permanent).

He pakipūmeka mō te hīkoi mai i Kapo Wairua, Muriwhenua tae atu ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Ko teūpoko mō tēnei hīkoi ko Whina Cooper. Ka tīmata tēnei hikoi hei te rā tekau mātoru o Mahuru 1975.

The Māori Land march began on Sunday 13 September 1975 from Kapo Wairua (Spirits Bay in the far north) and from Te Hāpua Marae, New Zealand's northern most marae. It ended at Parliament Buildings in Wellington. The march protested the continuing alienation of land and explains the spiritual significance of land to Māori .

This early Geoff Steven documentary includes marchers and supporters giving reasons for their involvement. It also shows the organisation of the march, its spiritual significance and the physical hardships and the pōwhiri on to each marae visited.

Features Eva Rickard, Tama Poata, and Joe Hawke. Glimpses of Diggeress Te Kanawa and Rangimārie Hetet.

Address by Dame Whina Cooper. Presentation of the Memorial of Rights petition to Parliament.

‍

From material preserved and made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Courtesy of Geoff Steven

‍

“When old and young come together to do this, it shows the strength of their convictions.”

‍

Free Screenings:

Saturday 22 July, 11am

‍

Cover image: Courtesy of NZ On Screen.

‍