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 261 - 270 of 270 events.
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Covid lockdowns
The first Covid lockdown was March to May 2020. The Alert system was introduced and New Zealand entered various Alert phases throughout 2020 to December 2021, when the Covid Protection Framework was introduced. Early on, many Māori communities established …
Date: 2020 Period: 1990-current -
COVID pandemic measures
The first COVID lockdown was March to May 2020. The Alert Levels system was introduced and NZ entered various phases throughout 2020 to December 2021, when the COVID Protection Framework was introduced. Early on, many Māori communities established their ow…
Date: 2020 Period: 1990-current -
Homelessness Action Plan released
In February 2020, the government released the Aotearoa/New Zealand Homelessness Action Plan. It set out an overarching framework for communities, Māori, Iwi, providers, and government agencies to work together to prevent and reduce homelessness.[i]
Date: 2020 Period: 1990-current -
Mana Orite Relationship Agreement signed
In response to a Māori call for reform of the justice system, the Mana Orite Agreement was developed as a partnership response to creating ‘a future that benefits both Māori and all New Zealanders by transforming the justice system whereby Māori are no lon…
Date: 2020 Period: 1990-current -
Public Service Act replaces State Sector Act
Key features of the new Act are that it: provides a more flexible set of options for how the public service can organise itself to better respond to specific priorities; allows public servants to move between agencies more easily; clearly establishes the …
Date: 2020 Period: 1990-current -
Tamariki Māori in state care
In August 2020, the-Minister for Children Tracey Martin announced that Cabinet would partially repeal the subsequent child provisions introduced in 2016.[i]
Date: 2020 Period: 1990-current -
Oranga Tamariki Urgent Inquiry report released
Waitangi Tribunal releases report: He Paharakeke He Rito Whakakikinga Wharuarua – Oranga Tamariki Urgent Inquiry report. At the heart of this claim was the issue ‘that policies and practices inconsistent with te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi……
Date: 2021 Period: 1990-current -
Release of Covid-related Māori health data
High Court ruled that the Ministry of Health reconsider its decision not to release Māori data to Te Pou Matakana for their use in their COVID-19 health response These rulings focused on whether the Privacy Act and the Health Information Privacy Code cont…
Date: 2021 Period: 1990-current -
Social workers registration
It became mandatory that all people practising as social workers needed to be registered with the Social Workers Registration Board. [i]
Date: 2021 Period: 1990-current -
Whaikaha established
Whaikaha [Ministry of Disabled People] was established in partnership with the community and Māori to support disabled people and whānau who are facing barriers to achieve ordinary life outcomes.[i]
Date: 2022 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.