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 61 - 70 of 270 events.
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Public Works Act
The 1928 Act continued most of the principles and policies developed in previous years, including many of the inheritances of the 1882 Act regarding Māori land. However, land could be taken under the Public Works Act 1928 for State housing purposes, provid…
Date: 1928 Period: 1900-1937 -
First Māori Women’s Institute formed
The first Maori Women's Institute, Te Awapuni, was formed at Kohupātiki in Hawkes Bay.
Date: 1929 Period: 1900-1937 -
Native Land Amendment and Native and Claims Adjustment Acts 1929
Māori Land development schemes begin. They provide a lifeline to whānau Māori.
Date: 1929 Period: 1900-1937 -
The Division of Māori Hygiene disbanded
Responsibility for Māori health passed to the Department of Public Health’s medical officers.[i]
Date: 1930 Period: 1900-1937 -
The Great Depression
Unemployment grew to 12%, forming a new group demanding government assistance. The government set up an Unemployment Board and legislated to raise an annual levy of 30 shillings from every adult working male to fund the Board’s activities which became an i…
Date: 1930 Period: 1900-1937 -
Unemployment Act
Established government responsibility for the support of the unemployed, but relief works and payments proved inadequate.[i] The Act established an Unemployment Board, charged with making arrangements with employers for the employment of the unemployed, pr…
Date: 1930 Period: 1900-1937 -
Native Land Act
Removed recognition of adoptions by Māori custom for things such as succession to native land where there was no will (unless the adoption had been registered pre-31 March 1910 and was still in place). The Act also impacted land development and title.[i]
Date: 1931 Period: 1900-1937 -
Health Camps
The first permanent Children’s Health Camp was built at Ōtaki.[i]
Date: 1932 Period: 1900-1937 -
Māori Purposes Fund Act
During 1934-35, this Act constituted the Māori Purposes Fund Board, charged with promoting Māori health, education, social and economic wellbeing. It amalgamated three former Boards: The Māori Ethnological Research Board (1923); The Māori Purposes Fund Con…
Date: 1934 Period: 1900-1937 -
Native Housing Act
Initiated the beginning of nationwide surveys.[i]
Date: 1935 Period: 1900-1937
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.