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 251 - 260 of 270 events.
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Families Commission disestablished
The Families and Whānau Wellbeing Research Programme, and Growing Up in New Zealand, were transferred to the Research and Evaluation Unit of MSD.[i]
Date: 2018 Period: 1990-current -
Section 70a benefit reductions removed
Under section 70a of the Social Security Act 1964, the benefit received by a sole parent is reduced for each dependent child for whom they do not seek child support [subject to some exemptions]. The reductions apply if a sole parent receiving benefit does …
Date: 2018 Period: 1990-current -
Te Arawhiti established
In 2018 Cabinet agreed to establish Te Arawhiti – an agency to oversee the Government’s work with Māori in a post-Treaty settlement era. Te Arawhiti’s scope includes: Te Kāhui Whakatau (Treaty Settlements), Te Kāhui Whakamana (Settlement Commitments), and …
Date: 2018 Period: 1990-current -
Welfare Expert Advisory Group established
The government established the Welfare Expert Advisory Group to provide advice on the future of New Zealand’s social security system. The report, Whakamana Tangata, Restoring Dignity to Social Security in New Zealand was released in May 2019, and made over…
Date: 2018 Period: 1990-current -
Child and youth wellbeing strategy
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) introduced the strategy, framework and programme of action.[i]
Date: 2019 Period: 1990-current -
Inquiries into uplift of a week-old baby
The two inquiries focused on what became known as the ‘Hastings Uplift’ by Oranga Tamariki. This involved an attempted uplifting of a baby without notice under a section 78 custody order in May 2019. The mother’s first child had been taken into care and de…
Date: 2019 Period: 1990-current -
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities was established.[i]
Date: 2019 Period: 1990-current -
s7AA Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
Section 7AA came into force on 1 July 2019. It sets out specific duties of the chief executive in order to ‘recognise and provide a practical commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (te Tiriti o Waitangi)’ as stipulated by section 4 of the A…
Date: 2019 Period: 1990-current -
Te Pae Tawhiti and Te Pae Tata launched
Te Pae Tawhiti was introduced by MSD as a strategic direction. The three strategic shifts included: Mana Manaaki (creating a positive experience); Kotahitanga (partnering for greater impact) and Kia Takatū tatou (supporting long-term social and economic de…
Date: 2019 Period: 1990-current -
Treasury introduces first Wellbeing Budget
This Budget encouraged agencies to develop wellbeing measures for reporting, and looked beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to ‘improving the wellbeing of our people, protecting the environment and strengthening of our communities.’[i]
Date: 2019 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.