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 191 - 200 of 270 events.
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Placement targets for the long-term unemployed
The New Zealand Employment Service was required to place 40,000 job seekers registered for 26 weeks or more, within its overall target of 90,000 placements. The Service was also required to improve its placement results for women, Māori, Pacific Islanders …
Date: 1990 Period: 1990-current -
Fourth National Government welfare reforms
The National Government cut welfare benefits and removed the universal family benefit entirely with Ruth Richardson’s ‘mother of all budgets’.[i] Jenny Shipley criticised welfare system dependency and benefits as a poverty trap and pushed a modest ‘safety …
Date: 1991 Period: 1990-current -
Ka Awatea report
Winston Peters, National MP, releases Ka Awatea which recommended the abolition of the Iwi Transition Agency and Manatū Māori, replacing them with a new Ministry of Māori Development, Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK).[i] This new agency was to have a strong regional p…
Date: 1991 Period: 1990-current -
NZ Census of Population and Dwellings includes ‘Iwi’
The first national census since 1901 to include iwi.[i]
Date: 1991 Period: 1990-current -
Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust
The Trust moved from providing services based on ‘goodwill and voluntary labour of [the] Māori community’ to funded services under the name Te Whānau o Waipareira Social Services. This development arose from a two-year contract with DSW to provide a homebu…
Date: 1991 Period: 1990-current -
DSW split into three business units
Government welfare reforms separated the Department of Social Welfare into three standalone units. The New Zealand Community Funding Agency was established as one of the key ‘operating businesses’ of the Department of Social Welfare and helped ensure that…
Date: 1992 Period: 1990-current -
Establishment of Te Puni Kōkiri
Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry of Māori Development, replaced Manatū Māori as well as the Iwi Transition Agency. Both agencies had replaced the Department of Māori Affairs. Part of the role of the new Ministry was to monitor other government departments for deli…
Date: 1992 Period: 1990-current -
Additional social welfare reforms
Release of DSW’s Briefing to the Incoming Minister, published in 1993, raised concerns about increasing number of sole parents, and long-term unemployment following the passage of Employment Contracts Act. The fourth National Government's Prime Ministerial…
Date: 1993 Period: 1990-current -
From Welfare to Well-Being
Department of Social Welfare, From Welfare to Well-Being (Wellington: Department of Social Welfare, 1994) introduced the idea of reciprocal obligations.[i] Introduction of case managers to address barriers individuals face returning to work. Sole Parent …
Date: 1994 Period: 1990-current -
Māori Development Conference - Hui Whakapumau
A two-day meeting of Māori who gathered to review the Decade of Māori Development 1984–94, and to focus on issues which needed to be addressed if ‘self-determination and social justice were to prevail’. Hui called for a shift in focus from iwi development …
Date: 1994 Period: 1990-current
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.