This image was taken for a story that ran in the Manawatū Evening Standard on 19 January, 1967. “A man was seriously injured on Saturday evening when he fell 10ft into the old subway on the disused railway land. He is Mr R. G. Wallace, aged 22, of Kent Terrace, Palmerston North.”

From 1890 a level railway crossing ran across the Main Street end of Pitt Street. In 1903, due to Railway Station alterations and platform extensions, this section was closed to through traffic and accessed via a pedestrian subway constructed under the railway lines.

After the opening of the new Railway Station in Tremaine Avenue in 1963, trains ceased travelling through the city centre. The subway was filled (apart from the entry stairs and ramp), and Pitt Street reverted to its former length.

This fountain was located in the western quadrant of The Square - this photograph shows it before the Coronation monument for Edward VII was shifted to sit within the fountain in 1925. The spire on the far left is that of the Catholic Church, then situated in Broad Street. The building with the clock tower on the far right is the Post Office. Built in 1906, the Post Office on the corner of The Square and Main Street was Palmerston North’s fourth, and replaced a small wooden building on the same site. In 1988, when Telecom and Postbank became separate entities, the building ceased to be the Post Office.

The CEPO was established in 1957 by a coalition of unions and women's organisations including: the National Council of Women; Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs; Federation of University Women; Young Women's Christian Association; and Public Service Association. It campaigned for women to receive equal pay in both the government and private sectors. The Equal Pay Act was passed in 1972, with equal pay to be introduced in stages, so that by 1 April 1978 there would be one rate of pay for all workers employed in any given job. In 1977, the passing of the Human Rights Commission Act outlawed discrimination in employment on the grounds of sex. Soon afterwards, the district committees of the CEPO disbanded, and the parent council went into recess.

Anti-apartheid demonstrators outside the NZI (NZ Insurance) building in Palmerston North.

Anti-apartheid demonstrators outside the NZI (NZ Insurance) building in Palmerston North.

Berryman's Lane from its Broadway entrance. Berryman's Lane is a T-shaped lane that runs from Broadway through to Main Street, with a side lane branching off to Princess Street. It provides service access to the backs of buildings. It was named Berryman's after the Berryman music shop that built for A.J. Berryman of Palmerston North c.1932.

Levin - Palmerston North via Shannon, Main Highway No. 60. Some sheets signed by W. M. Henderson, contractor.

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 13 February 1958, page 8: "Professor G. Stewart, of the University of California (right), who was "chief frier" at the Massey College chicken barbeque last night, superintends the preparations. Next to the professor is his "first assistant", Mr. A.O. Moll, of New South Wales."

A set of photographs taken on a Box Brownie showing various views of The Square covered in snow.

The Manawatu Times covered the event with the following report:

"Snow in the City

VEHICLES SKID IN SLIPPERY STREETS

Some 15 years ago there was a comparatively heavy fall of snow in Palmerston North, but there has not been such a visitation in tho city in recent years until this week, when there was a light smattering on Tuesday, and a slightly heavier fall yesterday morning. A severe frost, readings of 9½ degrees at the Boy's’ High School and 10½ degrees at Massey College being recorded, formed a thin skin of ice on the snow. Nine frosts have been experienced in Palmerston North during the past 14 days."

See the full article on Paperspast.

This plan shows a design for The Square, and includes a proposed new civic administration building between Main Street and Church Street. This plan did not eventuate. It is undated but may have been at the time they were exploring the need for a new Council building in the 1960s.

A view of the partial demolition of the High Flyers building from Main Street, Palmerston North.

This image was taken (but not published) on the 6th of October 1975. It depicts Rangitāne kaumatua Robert Governor (Kawana) addressing the arriving marchers.

An article published in the October 7th edition of the Evening Standard describing the arrival of marchers into Palmerston North is reproduced below.

“The Maori land marchers rested in Palmerston North today before moving on to Shannon tomorrow.

Their entrance into the city yesterday gained impetus as they sang their way down Rangitikei Street, led by Te Roopu O Te Matekite president, Whina Cooper.

Their ranks swelled as local Maoris joined their friends and relatives, amid hugging and kissing.

Behind the cloaked leaders the 200 marchers sang in the magical Maori way, unaccompanied, but in striking harmony.

The column went round the Square to the sound shell on the Post Office side where it was met by local Maoris and Rangitane Maori Committee patron Robert Governor.

They were greeted with prayers, hymns and welcoming speeches. Later, they marched off to the Maori Battalion Hall.

The crowd that followed the marchers to the welcoming site applauded the songs.

Tomorrow, Maoris from the east coast who have joined them here, will continue their march on Parliament.”

This image, although not published, was taken on the 5th of October 1975 for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard the following day.

The Article reproduced below was written by ‘An Evening Standard Reporter’.

“Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, the Maori land march on Parliament, arrives in Palmerston North today with a momentum that could prove unstoppable.

This is the impression gained after marching with them for the day yesterday.

Spirits were high today as the marchers, spurred on by groups of well-wishers and gifts of fruit from passing motorists, made their way to the city from Bulls.

Yesterday was a special day for Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, ‘the group with perception’.

Their delegation had returned from Wellington with the news that everything has been arranged for their arrival. Fears of nowhere to stay were unfounded.

The city of Wellington has been thrown open to the marchers, with the Mayor to cancel all bookings for the Town Hall if the Maoris need it for accommodation.

And the Marine Department has declared an open season on all shellfish around Wellington so the members of Matakite can gather and feast.

The marchers talked of their plans and their aims with optimism.

In Palmerston North they expect to be joined by supporters from the east coast, who will march with them on Parliament.

They still want to speak to the full Parliament from the floor of the House, something the Prime Minister has said it’s impossible.

And until they are granted this meeting, they could camp on the grounds of Parliament, open a Maori Embassy, and wait it out.

The full claims of the marchers are written on the memorial, a scroll which as yet has remained secret to outsiders.

The march is not about land that has been already taken. It is to protect the remaining land that is in danger of being taken under new legislation.

The Maoris say 66 million acres of the land has been eaten into by legislation over a century until now there is less than three million.

The 1967 Maori Affairs Amendment Act, which some Maoris have labelled the land grab act, aimed for the final ‘integration’ of Maori land by 1973.

And while Maoris have been preoccupied with the Act, even gaining some changes to its legislation, other statutes have been put before the them to continue the process of alienation, the marchers say.

Statues like the Town and Country Planning Act, the Rating Act, and the Counties Amendment Act.

Their sacred march began at Te Hapua on September 14 and will end when their aims are achieved.

Confronting their column is a moving experience, and marching with it is an insight.

None of the passing motorists was irreverent. Sadness was obvious in the eyes of the older people who stood at their gates to watch Matakite pass.

The 200 marchers led by their flag, are bringing their problem out to the people, and ‘they will not fail’.”

This image, although not published, was taken on the 5th of October 1975 for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard the following day. The Pouwhenua is held by Cyril Chapman.

The Article reproduced below was written by ‘An Evening Standard Reporter’.

The headline read: "An Open City for Maori Marchers"
The Article reproduced below was written by ‘An Evening Standard Reporter’.

“Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, the Maori land march on Parliament, arrives in Palmerston North today with a momentum that could prove unstoppable.

This is the impression gained after marching with them for the day yesterday.

Spirits were high today as the marchers, spurred on by groups of well-wishers and gifts of fruit from passing motorists, made their way to the city from Bulls.

Yesterday was a special day for Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, ‘the group with perception’.

Their delegation had returned from Wellington with the news that everything has been arranged for their arrival. Fears of nowhere to stay were unfounded.

The city of Wellington has been thrown open to the marchers, with the Mayor to cancel all bookings for the Town Hall if the Maoris need it for accommodation.

And the Marine Department has declared an open season on all shellfish around Wellington so the members of Matakite can gather and feast.

The marchers talked of their plans and their aims with optimism.

In Palmerston North they expect to be joined by supporters from the east coast, who will march with them on Parliament.

They still want to speak to the full Parliament from the floor of the House, something the Prime Minister has said it’s impossible.

And until they are granted this meeting, they could camp on the grounds of Parliament, open a Maori Embassy, and wait it out.

The full claims of the marchers are written on the memorial, a scroll which as yet has remained secret to outsiders.

The march is not about land that has been already taken. It is to protect the remaining land that is in danger of being taken under new legislation.

The Maoris say 66 million acres of the land has been eaten into by legislation over a century until now there is less than three million.

The 1967 Maori Affairs Amendment Act, which some Maoris have labelled the land grab act, aimed for the final ‘integration’ of Maori land by 1973.

And while Maoris have been preoccupied with the Act, even gaining some changes to its legislation, other statutes have been put before the them to continue the process of alienation, the marchers say.

Statues like the Town and Country Planning Act, the Rating Act, and the Counties Amendment Act.

Their sacred march began at Te Hapua on September 14 and will end when their aims are achieved.

Confronting their column is a moving experience, and marching with it is an insight.

None of the passing motorists was irreverent. Sadness was obvious in the eyes of the older people who stood at their gates to watch Matakite pass.

The 200 marchers led by their flag, are bringing their problem out to the people, and ‘they will not fail’.”

This image, although not published, was taken on the 5th of October 1975 for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard the following day. The Pouwhenua is held by Cyril Chapman.

The Article reproduced below was written by ‘An Evening Standard Reporter’.

“Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, the Maori land march on Parliament, arrives in Palmerston North today with a momentum that could prove unstoppable.

This is the impression gained after marching with them for the day yesterday.

Spirits were high today as the marchers, spurred on by groups of well-wishers and gifts of fruit from passing motorists, made their way to the city from Bulls.

Yesterday was a special day for Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, ‘the group with perception’.

Their delegation had returned from Wellington with the news that everything has been arranged for their arrival. Fears of nowhere to stay were unfounded.

The city of Wellington has been thrown open to the marchers, with the Mayor to cancel all bookings for the Town Hall if the Maoris need it for accommodation.

And the Marine Department has declared an open season on all shellfish around Wellington so the members of Matakite can gather and feast.

The marchers talked of their plans and their aims with optimism.

In Palmerston North they expect to be joined by supporters from the east coast, who will march with them on Parliament.

They still want to speak to the full Parliament from the floor of the House, something the Prime Minister has said it’s impossible.

And until they are granted this meeting, they could camp on the grounds of Parliament, open a Maori Embassy, and wait it out.

The full claims of the marchers are written on the memorial, a scroll which as yet has remained secret to outsiders.

The march is not about land that has been already taken. It is to protect the remaining land that is in danger of being taken under new legislation.

The Maoris say 66 million acres of the land has been eaten into by legislation over a century until now there is less than three million.

The 1967 Maori Affairs Amendment Act, which some Maoris have labelled the land grab act, aimed for the final ‘integration’ of Maori land by 1973.

And while Maoris have been preoccupied with the Act, even gaining some changes to its legislation, other statutes have been put before the them to continue the process of alienation, the marchers say.

Statues like the Town and Country Planning Act, the Rating Act, and the Counties Amendment Act.

Their sacred march began at Te Hapua on September 14 and will end when their aims are achieved.

Confronting their column is a moving experience, and marching with it is an insight.

None of the passing motorists was irreverent. Sadness was obvious in the eyes of the older people who stood at their gates to watch Matakite pass.

The 200 marchers led by their flag, are bringing their problem out to the people, and ‘they will not fail’.”

This image, although not published, was taken on the 5th of October 1975 for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard the following day.

The Article reproduced below was written by ‘An Evening Standard Reporter’.

“Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, the Maori land march on Parliament, arrives in Palmerston North today with a momentum that could prove unstoppable.

This is the impression gained after marching with them for the day yesterday.

Spirits were high today as the marchers, spurred on by groups of well-wishers and gifts of fruit from passing motorists, made their way to the city from Bulls.

Yesterday was a special day for Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, ‘the group with perception’.

Their delegation had returned from Wellington with the news that everything has been arranged for their arrival. Fears of nowhere to stay were unfounded.

The city of Wellington has been thrown open to the marchers, with the Mayor to cancel all bookings for the Town Hall if the Maoris need it for accommodation.

And the Marine Department has declared an open season on all shellfish around Wellington so the members of Matakite can gather and feast.

The marchers talked of their plans and their aims with optimism.

In Palmerston North they expect to be joined by supporters from the east coast, who will march with them on Parliament.

They still want to speak to the full Parliament from the floor of the House, something the Prime Minister has said it’s impossible.

And until they are granted this meeting, they could camp on the grounds of Parliament, open a Maori Embassy, and wait it out.

The full claims of the marchers are written on the memorial, a scroll which as yet has remained secret to outsiders.

The march is not about land that has been already taken. It is to protect the remaining land that is in danger of being taken under new legislation.

The Maoris say 66 million acres of the land has been eaten into by legislation over a century until now there is less than three million.

The 1967 Maori Affairs Amendment Act, which some Maoris have labelled the land grab act, aimed for the final ‘integration’ of Maori land by 1973.

And while Maoris have been preoccupied with the Act, even gaining some changes to its legislation, other statutes have been put before the them to continue the process of alienation, the marchers say.

Statues like the Town and Country Planning Act, the Rating Act, and the Counties Amendment Act.

Their sacred march began at Te Hapua on September 14 and will end when their aims are achieved.

Confronting their column is a moving experience, and marching with it is an insight.

None of the passing motorists was irreverent. Sadness was obvious in the eyes of the older people who stood at their gates to watch Matakite pass.

The 200 marchers led by their flag, are bringing their problem out to the people, and ‘they will not fail’.”

This image, although not published, was taken on the 5th of October 1975 for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard the following day.

The Article reproduced below was written by ‘An Evening Standard Reporter’.

“Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, the Maori land march on Parliament, arrives in Palmerston North today with a momentum that could prove unstoppable.

This is the impression gained after marching with them for the day yesterday.

Spirits were high today as the marchers, spurred on by groups of well-wishers and gifts of fruit from passing motorists, made their way to the city from Bulls.

Yesterday was a special day for Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, ‘the group with perception’.

Their delegation had returned from Wellington with the news that everything has been arranged for their arrival. Fears of nowhere to stay were unfounded.

The city of Wellington has been thrown open to the marchers, with the Mayor to cancel all bookings for the Town Hall if the Maoris need it for accommodation.

And the Marine Department has declared an open season on all shellfish around Wellington so the members of Matakite can gather and feast.

The marchers talked of their plans and their aims with optimism.

In Palmerston North they expect to be joined by supporters from the east coast, who will march with them on Parliament.

They still want to speak to the full Parliament from the floor of the House, something the Prime Minister has said it’s impossible.

And until they are granted this meeting, they could camp on the grounds of Parliament, open a Maori Embassy, and wait it out.

The full claims of the marchers are written on the memorial, a scroll which as yet has remained secret to outsiders.

The march is not about land that has been already taken. It is to protect the remaining land that is in danger of being taken under new legislation.

The Maoris say 66 million acres of the land has been eaten into by legislation over a century until now there is less than three million.

The 1967 Maori Affairs Amendment Act, which some Maoris have labelled the land grab act, aimed for the final ‘integration’ of Maori land by 1973.

And while Maoris have been preoccupied with the Act, even gaining some changes to its legislation, other statutes have been put before the them to continue the process of alienation, the marchers say.

Statues like the Town and Country Planning Act, the Rating Act, and the Counties Amendment Act.

Their sacred march began at Te Hapua on September 14 and will end when their aims are achieved.

Confronting their column is a moving experience, and marching with it is an insight.

None of the passing motorists was irreverent. Sadness was obvious in the eyes of the older people who stood at their gates to watch Matakite pass.

The 200 marchers led by their flag, are bringing their problem out to the people, and ‘they will not fail’.”

This image, although not published, was taken on the 5th of October 1975 for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard the following day. The Pouwhenua is held by Cyril Chapman.

The Article reproduced below was written by ‘An Evening Standard Reporter’.

“Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, the Maori land march on Parliament, arrives in Palmerston North today with a momentum that could prove unstoppable.

This is the impression gained after marching with them for the day yesterday.

Spirits were high today as the marchers, spurred on by groups of well-wishers and gifts of fruit from passing motorists, made their way to the city from Bulls.

Yesterday was a special day for Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, ‘the group with perception’.

Their delegation had returned from Wellington with the news that everything has been arranged for their arrival. Fears of nowhere to stay were unfounded.

The city of Wellington has been thrown open to the marchers, with the Mayor to cancel all bookings for the Town Hall if the Maoris need it for accommodation.

And the Marine Department has declared an open season on all shellfish around Wellington so the members of Matakite can gather and feast.

The marchers talked of their plans and their aims with optimism.

In Palmerston North they expect to be joined by supporters from the east coast, who will march with them on Parliament.

They still want to speak to the full Parliament from the floor of the House, something the Prime Minister has said it’s impossible.

And until they are granted this meeting, they could camp on the grounds of Parliament, open a Maori Embassy, and wait it out.

The full claims of the marchers are written on the memorial, a scroll which as yet has remained secret to outsiders.

The march is not about land that has been already taken. It is to protect the remaining land that is in danger of being taken under new legislation.

The Maoris say 66 million acres of the land has been eaten into by legislation over a century until now there is less than three million.

The 1967 Maori Affairs Amendment Act, which some Maoris have labelled the land grab act, aimed for the final ‘integration’ of Maori land by 1973.

And while Maoris have been preoccupied with the Act, even gaining some changes to its legislation, other statutes have been put before the them to continue the process of alienation, the marchers say.

Statues like the Town and Country Planning Act, the Rating Act, and the Counties Amendment Act.

Their sacred march began at Te Hapua on September 14 and will end when their aims are achieved.

Confronting their column is a moving experience, and marching with it is an insight.

None of the passing motorists was irreverent. Sadness was obvious in the eyes of the older people who stood at their gates to watch Matakite pass.

The 200 marchers led by their flag, are bringing their problem out to the people, and ‘they will not fail’.”

This image, although not published, was taken on the 5th of October 1975 for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard the following day.

The Article reproduced below was written by ‘An Evening Standard Reporter’.

“Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, the Maori land march on Parliament, arrives in Palmerston North today with a momentum that could prove unstoppable.

This is the impression gained after marching with them for the day yesterday.

Spirits were high today as the marchers, spurred on by groups of well-wishers and gifts of fruit from passing motorists, made their way to the city from Bulls.

Yesterday was a special day for Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, ‘the group with perception’.

Their delegation had returned from Wellington with the news that everything has been arranged for their arrival. Fears of nowhere to stay were unfounded.

The city of Wellington has been thrown open to the marchers, with the Mayor to cancel all bookings for the Town Hall if the Maoris need it for accommodation.

And the Marine Department has declared an open season on all shellfish around Wellington so the members of Matakite can gather and feast.

The marchers talked of their plans and their aims with optimism.

In Palmerston North they expect to be joined by supporters from the east coast, who will march with them on Parliament.

They still want to speak to the full Parliament from the floor of the House, something the Prime Minister has said it’s impossible.

And until they are granted this meeting, they could camp on the grounds of Parliament, open a Maori Embassy, and wait it out.

The full claims of the marchers are written on the memorial, a scroll which as yet has remained secret to outsiders.

The march is not about land that has been already taken. It is to protect the remaining land that is in danger of being taken under new legislation.

The Maoris say 66 million acres of the land has been eaten into by legislation over a century until now there is less than three million.

The 1967 Maori Affairs Amendment Act, which some Maoris have labelled the land grab act, aimed for the final ‘integration’ of Maori land by 1973.

And while Maoris have been preoccupied with the Act, even gaining some changes to its legislation, other statutes have been put before the them to continue the process of alienation, the marchers say.

Statues like the Town and Country Planning Act, the Rating Act, and the Counties Amendment Act.

Their sacred march began at Te Hapua on September 14 and will end when their aims are achieved.

Confronting their column is a moving experience, and marching with it is an insight.

None of the passing motorists was irreverent. Sadness was obvious in the eyes of the older people who stood at their gates to watch Matakite pass.

The 200 marchers led by their flag, are bringing their problem out to the people, and ‘they will not fail’.”

This image was taken by Manawatu Evening Standard press photographers on October 13, 1975, but was not published.
It accompanied a New Zealand Press Association article, reproduced below:

“Wellington, Monday – Wellington motorists will long remember the march on Parliament by Maoris from many parts of New Zealand.

It took well over an hour-and-a-half to complete the Porirua-Wellington motorway stage, and it was a first and second gear drive for passing motorists.

Starting from Porirua at 7a.m. the long column, led by its flag-bearer wearing a Maori cloak, turned into the straight stretch toward Johnsonville a few minutes before 9a.m.

Trailing behind the flag-bearer was nearly a mile of marchers moving four abreast filling a south-bound lane.

Some late starters travelled by taxi to catch the main body. Groups of three and four jogged up to half a mile to make up lost distance.

Some of the marchers were obviously making the journey in physical distress.

EASY: Pre-school toddlers had a hard job keeping up with adults, and only infants in prams – more than 50 of them – had it easy.

As the marchers wended their way into Wellington, a party of 200 to 300 local Maoris waited at the foot of Parliament steps.

Many of the welcoming party carried small branches and plants which symbolised a welcome to the marchers.

Just before noon the welcoming party broke into chanting and song in preparation for the arrival of the marchers, who had decided to cut out the planned central-city march and head straight for Parliament.

The pace of the march had slowed in persistent rain to accommodate the many elderly people who joined for the final few miles.

OMEN: The March was orderly and, after fine sunny weather for most of the journey, the marchers were not deterred by the rain today. Instead, they saw it as an omen that the heavens were with them.

As they walked into Wellington, the march leaders, most of whom had come from Te Hapua, started singing the Matakite song.

Workers lined up outside factories, people leant out of office buildings, and traffic came to a near standstill.

The group’s ageing leader, Mrs Whina Cooper did not walk today, but every now and again drove past the marchers urging them onward. She was to rejoin [sic] the march in a wheel chair to lead it to Parliament.

Extra traffic officers from Porirua, Upper Hutt and Palmerston North were in Wellington for the final stage of the march.

WAIT: A Ministry of Transport spokesman said all cars would be on the job, and as many key intersections as required would be manned.

City Council buses were diverted, and temporary no-parking areas set aside as the marchers entered the city.

Parliament grounds were filling rapidly with people waiting for the marchers.

At nine o’clock there were already small groups of Maoris huddling together for shelter under the trees, and by midday there were more than 300 people present, with others pouring through the gates.

Most of the crowd were Maoris, but as lunch time approached more and more pakehas appeared, many intending to wait for the marchers.”

These images were taken for the Manawatu Evening Standard, on October 8th, 1975, but only the first was published. They depict marchers heading south to Shannon from Palmerston North.

The article published in the Evening Standard by one of its reporters is reproduced below:

“The Maori land marchers left Palmerston North this morning for Shannon heartened by a letter from the Prime Minister.

Without giving guarantees, Mr. Rowling said he had invited all Labour M.P.s to welcome the marchers at Parliament. And most of them are expected to attend.

The marchers almost ran out of town this morning and made rapid progress to their first rest site.

They were joined by 15 pupils of the Aokautere School who wished to interview them on their personal reasons for marching.

The school’s headmaster, Mr. B. Mills, arranged the meeting as part of a school project for the primary school children.

And when the marchers moved on, the children went with them, armed with tape recorders and pencils.

There was no evidence of the masses of east coast Maoris who were expected to join the march at Palmerston North. In fact, the numbers were down.”

A view of the partial demolition of the High Flyers building from Main Street. 

A view of the partial demolition of the High Flyers building from Main Street. 

A view of the partial demolition of the High Flyers building from Main Street. 

A view of the partial demolition of the High Flyers building from Main Street. 

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on the 7th of October 1975 and was published with the caption "Edna King, of Whangarei, keeps one eye on proceedings at the Lions garden in the Square, and the other on "Evening Standard" coverage of the March."

The image accompanied the article reproduced below, which was written by the Evening Standard and NZPA.

“The Maori land marchers rested in Palmerston North today before moving on to Shannon tomorrow.

Their entrance into the city yesterday gained impetus as they sang their way down Rangitikei Street, led by Te Roopu O Te Matekite president, Whina Cooper.

Their ranks swelled as local Maoris joined their friends and relatives, amid hugging and kissing.

Behind the cloaked leaders the 200 marchers sang in the magical Maori way, unaccompanied, but in striking harmony.

The column went round the Square to the sound shell on the Post Office side where it was met by local Maoris and Rangitane Maori Committee patron Robert Governor.

They were greeted with prayers, hymns and welcoming speeches. Later, they marched off to the Maori Battalion Hall.

The crowd that followed the marchers to the welcoming site applauded the songs.

Tomorrow, Maoris from the east coast who have joined them here, will continue their march on Parliament.

• Last night there was a prediction that the Te Roopu O Te Matakite could attract 100,000 followers in Wellington.

Mr. Willie Wilson of Rotorua, a representative of march leader Mrs Whenua [sic] Cooper, made the estimate at a Press conference called by the Wellington organisers to give details of the march’s arrival in Wellington.

‘Mrs Cooper has dreamt there will be 50,000 people, but present indications point to the number being 100,000.’ Mr Wilson said.

If his prediction turns out to be true the committee will be in trouble, for they expect only 10,000.”

This image was taken (but not published) for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on the 6th of October 1975 with the caption "The Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite flag leads the marchers into the city."

The headline read: "An Open City for Maori Marchers"
The Article reproduced below was written by ‘An Evening Standard Reporter’.

“Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, the Maori land march on Parliament, arrives in Palmerston North today with a momentum that could prove unstoppable.

This is the impression gained after marching with them for the day yesterday.

Spirits were high today as the marchers, spurred on by groups of well-wishers and gifts of fruit from passing motorists, made their way to the city from Bulls.

Yesterday was a special day for Te Roopu Ote [sic] Matakite, ‘the group with perception’.

Their delegation had returned from Wellington with the news that everything has been arranged for their arrival. Fears of nowhere to stay were unfounded.

The city of Wellington has been thrown open to the marchers, with the Mayor to cancel all bookings for the Town Hall if the Maoris need it for accommodation.

And the Marine Department has declared an open season on all shellfish around Wellington so the members of Matakite can gather and feast.

The marchers talked of their plans and their aims with optimism.

In Palmerston North they expect to be joined by supporters from the east coast, who will march with them on Parliament.

They still want to speak to the full Parliament from the floor of the House, something the Prime Minister has said it’s impossible.

And until they are granted this meeting, they could camp on the grounds of Parliament, open a Maori Embassy, and wait it out.

The full claims of the marchers are written on the memorial, a scroll which as yet has remained secret to outsiders.

The march is not about land that has been already taken. It is to protect the remaining land that is in danger of being taken under new legislation.

The Maoris say 66 million acres of the land has been eaten into by legislation over a century until now there is less than three million.

The 1967 Maori Affairs Amendment Act, which some Maoris have labelled the land grab act, aimed for the final ‘integration’ of Maori land by 1973.

And while Maoris have been preoccupied with the Act, even gaining some changes to its legislation, other statutes have been put before them to continue the process of alienation, the marchers say.

Statues like the Town and Country Planning Act, the Rating Act, and the Counties Amendment Act.

Their sacred march began at Te Hapua on September 14 and will end when their aims are achieved.

Confronting their column is a moving experience, and marching with it is an insight.

None of the passing motorists was irreverent. Sadness was obvious in the eyes of the older people who stood at their gates to watch Matakite pass.

The 200 marchers led by their flag, are bringing their problem out to the people, and ‘they will not fail’.”