Mother of the Nation: Whina Cooper and the long walk for justice.

"Mother of the Nation, written by David Hill, is a non-fiction picture book that tells the story of Whina Cooper and her advocacy for Māori rights. It highlights her determination to stand up for what she believed in, especially through the famous protest march for justice.

The story begins with the 1975 land march from Māngere in Tāmaki-makaurau Auckland to the Beehive in Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. Before revealing the outcome, the story transports the reader back to Whina’s childhood and traces her life’s journey. It shows her pride in being Māori and her lifelong commitment to fighting for fairness and the protection of Māori land.

This book would be an excellent resource for history lessons, particularly when learning about Māori land rights and the significance of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The illustrations support the text well, helping readers visualise key events and understand the emotional weight of the story. I would recommend it for upper primary students (Year 4 and up) due to the language level, the more complex ideas and sentence structure.

Overall, 'Mother of the Nation' is an inspiring story for both children and adults, encouraging readers to stand up for what they are passionate about and to value their heritage and culture.