[2] Hawke led the occupation of Takaparawhau / Bastion Point in 1977, defying then prime minister Robert Muldoon to protest the development.

The Muldoon government offered in February 1978 to return some land and houses to the iwi provided they pay $200,000 in development costs.

He also pushed for smoke-free marae (having previously given up smoking himself several years earlier), and called for a nationwide hepatitis B screening programme as the disease particularly affected Māori and Pacific Island people.

[6] Hawke announced he would retire as an MP at the 2002 election, stating he would return to his previous involvement in various iwi businesses as well as tourism and development ventures.

[7] In the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours, Hawke was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori and the community.

[8] In December 2021, Hawke was bestowed with an honorary Doctor of Law (LLD) degree from Auckland University - Waipapa Taumata Rau.