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 151 - 160 of 270 events.
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Auckland social welfare homes inquiry
An inquiry into allegations of cruel and inhuman punishment of young people in Auckland Social Welfare homes in June 1978. The inquiry was hosted by ACCORD, Ngā Tamatoa, and Arohanui Inc.[i]
Date: 1978 Period: 1972-1989 -
Departmental guidelines for processing abuse cases
The Department formulated preparatory guidelines for the processing of child abuse cases, then established a pilot multi-disciplinary child abuse project to trial the guidelines and assemble a register of abuse cases. Trial project began in Hamilton in ea…
Date: 1978 Period: 1972-1989 -
Tu Tangata introduced
The Department of Māori Affairs introduced the Tu Tangata programme as an attempt to empower Māori and to change focus from a government department with all the power concentrated at one level. Part of this new philosophy was the Kokiri community administr…
Date: 1978 Period: 1972-1989 -
Intensive Foster Care schemes
The Department of Social Welfare established Intensive Foster Care schemes to match more difficult children with carefully selected foster parents, who received training, advice and support.[i]
Date: 1979 Period: 1972-1989 -
Māori Welfare Act 1979 becomes Māori Community Development Act
Said to have symbolised a shift in emphasis away from what was seen as ‘welfare-statism’ towards ‘community empowerment and self-reliance’.[i]
Date: 1979 Period: 1972-1989 -
The Family Court Act
Established the Family Court. Its jurisdiction included marriage and its dissolution, adoption, guardianship, paternity, matrimonial property and spousal and child maintenance. It was later expanded further to include care of children and child protection …
Date: 1980 Period: 1972-1989 -
Borstals closed
The last of the borstals was closed by the Criminal Justice Amendment (No 2) Act 1980.[i]
Date: 1981 Period: 1972-1989 -
Bi-culturism
Hiwi Tauroa, freshly minted Race Relations Conciliator, releases a report called “Race Against Time” in which he argues that race relations in New Zealand needs urgent attention.
Date: 1982 Period: 1972-1989 -
Group Employment Liaison Service established
Group Employment Liaison Service (GELS) was established within the Department of Labour. GEL targeted unemployed with the aim of facilitating access to employment and training programmes via community fieldworkers, most of whom were Māori.[i] GELS was abs…
Date: 1982 Period: 1972-1989 -
Kohanga Reo
The first Kōhanga Reo was supported by the Department of Māori Affairs. A year later, there were 100 (currently over 460). As well as reviving Te Reo Māori, the aims included immersing children and whānau in Māori child rearing practices.[i]
Date: 1982 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.