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 171 - 180 of 270 events.
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Report on institutional racism released
The Ministerial Advisory Committee report revealed that 62% of children in residential homes in the Auckland area were Māori.[i] The Māori Advisory Unit concluded that the Department was racist in the institutional sense; it was a typical, hierarchical bu…
Date: 1985 Period: 1972-1989 -
The Adult Adoption Information Act
Enabled adopted children and birth parents to access information about each other, but allowed birth parents to request a veto on their information so that the child would not have access to the information.[i]
Date: 1985 Period: 1972-1989 -
Waitangi Tribunal powers extended
The Waitangi Tribunal empowered to investigate Treaty claims dating back to 1840.[i]
Date: 1985 Period: 1972-1989 -
Puao-Te-Ata-Tu released
The Minister of Social Welfare Ann Hercus released Puao-te-ata-tu (Report of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on a Māori Perspective for Social Welfare) after the end of a special ministerial inquiry led by John Rangihau involving over 60 hui across the …
Date: 1986 Period: 1972-1989 -
Royal Commission on Social Policy established
In 1986 the government established the Royal Commission on Social Policy, which published its report in 1988. This was occurring at the same time as Puao-te-ata- tu. Commissioners appointed were Sir Ivor Richardson [Chair], Ann Ballin, Marion Bruce, Len Co…
Date: 1986 Period: 1972-1989 -
Te Whainga i Te Tika – In Search of Justice
The report of the Advisory Committee on Legal Services raised concerns about: children lacking effective legal protections; young people not understanding what was happening in courtrooms; institutional racism; and identified children and young people unde…
Date: 1986 Period: 1972-1989 -
Mana Enterprises Development Programme
Mana Enterprises Development Programme and MACCESS – Māori Access Schemes – provided small business loans to Māori business initiatives, and subsidised employment schemes tailored to Māori.[i] Te Whānau o Waipareira was designated by the Department of Mao…
Date: 1987 Period: 1972-1989 -
Māori Language Act
Te reo Māori becomes an official language.[i]
Date: 1987 Period: 1972-1989 -
Māori Women's Development Fund
Established by the Māori Women’s Welfare League with a grant from the Mana Enterprise Development Committee.[i]
Date: 1987 Period: 1972-1989 -
NZMC v AG court case
Colloquially known as the 'Lands Case', NZ Māori Council v The Attorney-General is the first time that the Treaty principles are articulated in the Courts, specifically the five principles articulated by the Appeal Court judges.
Date: 1987 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.