Sharon Hawke:

Sharon Hawke is more than a name in history — she is a rangatira of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei whose life has been intertwined with one of Aotearoa’s most powerful movements for justice, land rights and cultural memory. Born into a whānau that stood at the forefront of Te Whenua Takaparawhau (Bastion Point) protest, Sharon has carried forward that legacy with quiet strength, storytelling, and unwavering commitment.

As the second child and only daughter of René and Joe Hawke — leaders of the Bastion Point occupation in the late 1970s — Sharon’s early years were shaped by one of the most pivotal moments in modern Māori history. At just 16 years old, she took part in the 506‑day peaceful occupation of Takaparawhau, a protest rooted in the fundamental belief that “this land belongs to us” and that it must remain in the hands of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. During that occupation she was among the more than 200 people arrested when police and army forces moved in to evict protesters in 1978 — an experience that marked her forever.

Those early experiences didn’t silence Sharon — they galvanised her. Today, she is deeply involved in keeping this history alive for future generations, ensuring that the struggles and achievements of her people are not forgotten. She has been a member of the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Board, contributing to the governance and direction of her hapū’s aspirations.

Sharon has also brought her talents to the film and television world, believing strongly that stories matter — especially those that reflect the truth of Māori experience and resilience. She actively worked on telling Bastion Point’s story from a Māori perspective, including involvement in productions that preserve the occupation’s history on screen.

For Sharon, the struggle at Bastion Point is never just about the past — it’s about identity, whenua (land), and collective memory. Even decades after the land was returned to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, she helps lead commemorations and reflections, guiding others to understand how this whenua shaped her whānau, her people, and her own life.

Sharon Hawke stands as a bridge between generations — a woman who lived history as a young wāhine, and who continues to ensure that history teaches, anchors, and inspires her people today