Mother of the Nation

Whina Cooper and the Long Walk for Justice

David Hill, Story Hemi-Morehouse

$22.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Picture Puffin
29 July 2025

Picture storybooks; True stories (Children's&YA); Children's & young adult: general non-fiction

Meet Dame Whina Cooper, the kuia who championed Maori rights and women's rights and led a famous hīkoi for positive change.

The true story of one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most exceptional leaders and a courageous wahine toa, who united thousands of Maori and Pakeha to address injustices, and whose mana and determination continue to inspire us today.

"" David Hill's stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the reader about some aspect of our amazing country and our people."" Gisborne Herald

ONE NIGHT, WHINA DREAMT SHE WAS ON A BOAT, PULLING A CHILD FROM THE SEA. SHE DECIDED THE BOAT WAS HER JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE, AND THE CHILD WAS ALL FUTURE TAMARIKI . . .

When Whina was very young, her father knew she was a born leader. At 18, she organised her first protest to save iwi land. At 56, she helped found the Maori Women's Welfare League. And at 79, she walked an incredible 1000 kilometres to Parliament to deliver a message- Not One More Acre of Maori Land.

Whina was an exceptional speaker, farmer and sportswoman. She could organise events at the drop of a hat. And she would get on the phone to tell the Prime Minister exactly what she thought.

Written and illustrated specially for children, this is the true story of an extraordinary woman whose energy and mana drove many successful campaigns for Maori rights. Her leadership in her community radiated out to all corners of Aotearoa, and her legacy lives on 50 years after her famous hīkoi.

Maori language edition available - TE WHAEA O TE MOTU, translated by Stacey Morrison.

By: David Hill
Illustrated by: Story Hemi-Morehouse
Imprint: Picture Puffin
Country of Publication: New Zealand
Dimensions: Height: 1mm, Width: 1mm,
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9781776958122
ISBN 10: 1776958128
Pages: 32
Publication Date: 29 July 2025
Recommended Age: From 5 to 10 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

David Hill (Author) David Hill is a prolific and highly regarded New Zealand writer, playwright, poet, columnist and critic. Best known for his highly popular and award-winning body of work for young people, ranging from picture books to teenage fiction, his novels have been published all around the world and translated into several languages, and his short stories and plays for young people have been broadcast here and overseas. In 2004 David was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and in 2005 he was awarded the Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal, acknowledging his significant contribution to children's literature in New Zealand. In November 2021 he was awarded the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement - Fiction in recognition of his outstanding contribution to New Zealand Literature. He lives in New Plymouth with his wife Beth. Story Hemi-Morehouse (Illustrator) Story Hemi-Morehouse (Ngati Koata, Ngati Kuia, Ngati Toa Rangatira) was born in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) and moved to Australia when she was young. She was always obsessed with comics and drawing and turned her love of illustrating into a career. Story's first published book, Mokopuna Matatini/The Greatest Haka Festival on Earth by Pania Tahau-Hodges, was shortlisted for four awards in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2022. She has since added several more picture books to her portfolio and in 2023 Kua Whetūrangitia a Koro/How My Koro Became a Star, with author Brianne Te Paa, was a finalist in the Best Picture Book and won Te Kura Pounamu Award. Story lives and works in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington NZ.