Chronology for 1900-1937
On the fringes of mono-cultural welfare
Most Māori lived in rural enclaves of Aotearoa New Zealand and practiced customary ways of living and caring for whānau. However, assimilationist policies and a capitalist economic framework were beginning to impact, especially with the migration of adults in search of paid work. By 1920, Māori land holdings had decreased to 8% of total New Zealand lands and the population had increased from 56,987 in 1921 to 82,326 in 1936.[i] go to footnote Factors contributing to this significant population growth, which continued beyond the 1920s, were ‘falls in infant and child mortality, especially but not exclusively from the end of the 19th century to 1976’, ‘reductions in mortality at older ages’, and ‘the high relative fertility of Māori women’.[ii] go to footnote While Māori women and children were at the forefront of the recovery of te ao Māori, they were also targets of state messaging about their ‘proper’ family roles and places in New Zealand society.
Western concepts of child welfare were introduced legislatively in the early 20th century (whāngai restrictions to whenua) and enforced increasingly throughout the century as Māori children began to enter the child juvenile system. Access to pensions and benefits are either denied or paid at a lower rate than for Pākehā.
Iwi Māori continued to fight for hapū autonomy and control over their own welfare. Wāhine Māori, such as Whina Cooper and Te Puea Hērangi, were among Māori leaders pushing for tikanga-based solutions for the welbeing of their people and Māori nationwide.[iii] go to footnote
Chronology events
Displaying 1 - 10 of 270 events.
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Te Whakaputanga
Northern Rangatira sign Declaration of Independence.
Date: 1835 Period: 1835-1899 -
Māori population estimated at 80,000
An iwi Māori population supports a dependent Pākehā population of approximately 2,000 c.1839.
Date: 1840 Period: 1835-1899 -
Signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is signed on 6 February 1840 at Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands.
Date: 1840 Period: 1835-1899 -
Beginning of the New Zealand Wars
The New Zealand Wars (1845 to 1872).
Date: 1845 Period: 1835-1899 -
Destitute Persons Ordinance
Promoted the start of the family responsibility themes in New Zealand social policy.[i] Was put in place due to concern about ‘dangerous lunatics’ and made families financially responsible for their own members.[ii] Became New Zealand’s first income suppor…
Date: 1846 Period: 1835-1899 -
Hospitals established in the North Island
The establishment of state-financed hospitals in Auckland, Wellington, Wanganui, and New Plymouth, creating the nucleus of a national hospital system.[i]
Date: 1846 Period: 1835-1899 -
Limited government support for Mission Schools
Māori women played a significant role in establishing Mission Schools. Māori children were initially educated in Mission Schools, separate from Pākehā children, and received some funding from government from 1847.
Date: 1847 Period: 1835-1899 -
Pensions Ordinance
Provided a limited pension for volunteers and others who were disabled or seriously wounded while acting with or in aid of the Crown forces in the suppression of the rebellion in the far north of New Zealand in 1845/46.[i]
Date: 1849 Period: 1835-1899 -
Civil List for ‘Native purposes’
From 1852 the Civil List included a sum of £7,000 for 'Native Purposes' including medicines and medical services.[i]
Date: 1852 Period: 1835-1899 -
New Zealand Constitution Act
New Zealand is now self-governing, with allowances made for self-governing Māori districts. Provinces are responsible for the ‘needy poor’.
Date: 1852 Period: 1835-1899
Footnotes
- [i] go to main content The New Zealand Official Year Book 1945
- [ii] go to main content Atholl Anderson, Judith Binney, Aroha Harris, Tangata Whenua: An Illustrated History, Bridget Williams Books, Wellington, 2014, p. 491.
- [iii] go to main content Hērangi, Te Kirihaehae Te Puea – Dictionary of New Zealand Biography – Te Ara; Cooper, Whina – Dictionary of New Zealand Biography – Te Ara.