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 141 - 150 of 270 events.
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Royal Commission on Social Security
Stated that the purpose of social security was to provide dependent people with ‘…a standard of living consistent with human dignity…irrespective of the cause of dependency’.[i]
Date: 1972 Period: 1972-1989 -
Youths in residential institutions
The number of young people in residential institutions tripled between 1948 and 1972. Government financial transfers to the voluntary sector increased markedly during this period.[i]
Date: 1972 Period: 1972-1989 -
Introduction of the Domestic Purposes Benefit
Financial support for sole parents caring for dependent children, regardless of situation introduced by the Fourth Labour Government.[i]
Date: 1973 Period: 1972-1989 -
1967 Māori Affairs Act repealed
Despite the repeal, the damage of the last seven years in regards to the alienation of Māori land had already been done.[i]
Date: 1974 Period: 1972-1989 -
Children and Young Persons Act
The Children and Young Persons Act 1974 replaced the Child Welfare Act 1925. The Act was founded on the principle of the interests of the child or young person as the first and paramount consideration.[i]
Date: 1974 Period: 1972-1989 -
The Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975
This Act established the Waitangi Tribunal.[i]
Date: 1975 Period: 1972-1989 -
McCombs Report (Towards Partnership)
Criticised the lack of Māori, Pacific people and women in school governance, the isolation of school boards from communities and the concentration of power in the Department of Education.[i]
Date: 1976 Period: 1972-1989 -
Domestic Purposes Benefit Review Committee
Established under the Third National Government, the committee’s report stated that the DPB was needed and should be retained.[i]
Date: 1977 Period: 1972-1989 -
National Superannuation Scheme redesigned
The redesign took place under a National government. Superannuation was initially paid from the age of 60 years, but cutbacks were made throughout the following decades.[i]
Date: 1977 Period: 1972-1989 -
Raupuora project launched by MWWL
Led by Erihapeti Murchie, the report analysed the health perceptions of 1,177 Māori women.[i]
Date: 1977 Period: 1972-1989
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.