Mrs Eva Rickard 1925 - 1997

The following is reprinted from 'The New Chronicle' Issue 107 19/12/97

The giant Kauri casts a large shadow across forest floor, sheltering many small saplings as they struggle to adulthood.  Fed by the detritus cast off from it's huge branches.  Watered by the small droplets that squeeze past its many leaves.  Protected from the worst of the stormy winds and harsh elements that would otherwise spell doom for these smaller specimens of many varieties.

Mrs Eva Rickard was one such giant, her personality, force of will and mana mark her as giant by anyone's standards.

It is with deep regret that we offer our sincerest condolences to the whanau of Mrs Rickard who passed away, at her home, on Saturday the 6th of December.

Mrs Rickard became a national entity when in 1978 she was arrested with a group of fellow protesters on the ninth hole of the then Raglan Golf Course. This incident captured by television cameras became a defining moment in her public life.  To many the image of this wiry kuia being man-handled off the golf course by two policemen, and making them earn their pay right to the very last, was and is, the enduring image they have of Eva Rickard.

Born Eva Kereopa in 1925 a member of Tainui Awhiro, she lived on the land her Grandfather had settled, land that they were evicted from by the Government of the day ,as it appropriated many properties for military purposes during World World II.

Mrs Rickard was not interested in things Maori when younger, preferring to concentrate on her young family of nine children and to work at the Raglan Post Office, a position she held for 30 years.  During this time Mrs Rickard was a keen golfer, happy to play the nine holes that the Raglan Golf Course offered, until the Golf Club planned to bulldoze the burial site at its centre to extend the course to 18 holes.

Te Kopua was the beginning, before Bastion Point.  Some have called it the spark that started the whole process.  Eva's efforts extended into national politics, she was a candidate for Mana Motuhake and later founded the Mana Maori Movement in 1993.  In her later years she was always seen to be keeping everybody honest, letting them all know with her provocative, thoughtful statements.  You had to admire her honesty and ability to see to the heart of the matter. Nobody was spared, from Tuku Morgan to the Tainui Maori Trust Board. 

There was always more to Eva Rickard than words, she always backed them up with plain old hard work.  Even the greatest of Kauri must eventually return to the land from which we all came, they usually do so suddenly, so it seems, and when the dust clears nothing appears as it was before.

The absence of the great tree gives new light and opportunity to those who sheltered beneath it, allowing growth and development previously unavailable.   Her passing is not an end but a continuation,  for people perish but the land remains.

And how do we remember Eva? That depends on who we are and what part she played in our lives.  I will always remember the personality and character, the honesty and integrity that were always the mark of Eva Rickard.

Through her efforts New Zealand is now a different place for many people, because she had the strength to stand her ground and the courage to speak her mind.

Clive Hamill - Principal Raglan Area School writes.

The passing of kuia, nana and friend of the school Mrs Eva Rickard has been a big loss to the school.  Aunt Eva has been very supportive of the school over a long period of time in a host of different capacities.  While we have not always seen eye to eye Aunt Eva consistently shared her concerns directly with us and sought to do the very best for her children.

The whole school extends to Tex and family our deep wishes of sympathy at this sudden loss. We will all miss her deeply.

Mayor Angus Macdonald writes

With the return of the Golf Club land, Eva helped create a precedent - not only for Maori land purchased for Government purposes but for all land. Current Government policy is that any land so purchased must be offered to the original owners first.

Eva fought for principles and not for the glorification of her own name. Typical of her comments, she castigated those who plundered the shellfish in the harbour regardless of race or gender. Supportive of actions which helped all people, Eva participated in the opening of our new library and office in Raglan, when we purchased the post office, and also spoke strongly at the opening of the new road to the Wainui Reserve.

She didn't want handouts but pride in oneself and one's achievements.  She achieved it for herself and while her actions annoyed many, they hurt no-one.  Eva wrote to me several months ago and concluded by saying 'Thank you for your understanding.  You have lived among the Maori race and I guess you are glad there are not many Eva Rickards in this world.   I tell you, if there were more this would be a better place to keep everyone honest.' Her own words are a fitting accolade to one who lived a tempestuous life, and who influenced all those who knew her.