Born and brought up at Te Kòpua, Raglan, of Tainui descent, Eva Rickard learned from her mother how to stand strong in times of change. Te Kòpua was razed to provide a wartime aerodrome, and the community was moved away, though they yearned for the return of their land once the war had ended. When, instead of the promised return, the redundant aerodrome land became a golf course, a long struggle began. Eva Rickard told of seeing and hearing the spirits of her dead mother and brother in her dreams, and she followed their urging to maintain the fight and reclaim the ancestral homeland of their people. Her crusade lasted many years, during which she was often criticised, but she held true to her search for justice.

Ultimately successful, this was not Eva Rickard’s only challenge. She worked for all who were in need, battling always for fairness and peace in her beloved country. Her independence, tenacity, and commitment strengthened others, especially the young Màori people whom she always trusted and supported.