Whina Cooper was born on 9 December 1895 in Te Karaka, New Zealand. She was married to William Cooper and Richard Gilbert. She died on 26 March 1994 in Hokianga, New Zealand.
She was awarded the M.B.E. (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1953 Queen's Honours List; awarded the C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1973 Queen's Honours List; awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1980 Queen's Honours List; and awarded the Member of the Order of New Zealand in the 1991 Queen's Honours List for her services to New Zealand.
On being awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1980: They didn't understand that I'd have more power when I'd been invested, more power to fight for them and for all the Maori people against the government.