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 121 - 130 of 270 events.
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Auckland Māori Committees offering services to new migrants
Thirty-three Māori Committees were operating in Auckland, offering services to assist new migrants to the city. Support included budgeting advice and advocacy on behalf of Māori people in their relations with Pākehā landlords or the authorities. In Ōtara, …
Date: 1966 Period: 1938-1971 -
Maori school leavers low achievement
Over 85% of Māori leave school with no qualifications.[i]
Date: 1966 Period: 1938-1971 -
Te Unga Waka centre
The centre was built by the Māori Catholic Community of Auckland.
Date: 1966 Period: 1938-1971 -
Māori Affairs Amendment Act
This Act was described by Māori as the ‘last land grab’[i] Despite widespread opposition of Māori, including the NZMC and the Māori members of Parliament, this Act made it possible for the government to compulsorily convert Māori freehold land with four or…
Date: 1967 Period: 1938-1971 -
Department of Māori and Island Affairs created
Department of Māori Affairs was amalgamated with the Department of Island Territories to create the new Department of Māori and Island Affairs. There was no change in overall policy or the types of work done; Polynesian welfare officers were appointed to t…
Date: 1968 Period: 1938-1971 -
Introduction of domestic purposes emergency benefit
In 1968 the government agreed to introduce a domestic purposes emergency benefit for circumstances not covered by a statutory benefit. Viewed as an emergency benefit which specifically met the needs of sole parents, grouping deserted wives and separated an…
Date: 1968 Period: 1938-1971 -
Māori Organisation on Human Rights formed
Date: 1968 Period: 1938-1971 -
The Guardianship Act
Defined and regulated the authority of parents as guardians of their children, their power to appoint guardians, and the powers of the Courts in relation to the custody and guardianship of children.[i]
Date: 1968 Period: 1938-1971 -
Committee for Research into Illegitimacy
The committee launched a comprehensive study, led by Victoria University lecturer Jim Robb and including members of the Child Welfare Division. The descriptive study was undertaken in order to construct a profile of the unmarried mother.[i] The study concl…
Date: 1969 Period: 1938-1971 -
Hokio Beach residence
The residence was for boys aged 11-14 and was one of several residences that catered for the growing Māori population in the Child Welfare Division’s homes. In the late 1960s it introduced Māori language, history, and culture into the curriculum.[i]
Date: 1969 Period: 1938-1971
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.