Chronology for 1938-1971
Assimilating into universal welfare
Labour’s policies were underpinned by a principle of universality and a vision of the nation as a classless community. Rich, middle-class and poor were linked by the same national system of state support and social services; superannuation, however small, was to be available to every aged person who was not already on another benefit and was an important symbol of citizenship. The ‘system as a whole was removed from ‘the taint of charity’ and became a source of national pride’.[i] go to footnote
This was a period of great demographic change for iwi Māori with the mass migration of its rural population to the cities of New Zealand. The need for workers in essential industries and the post-war labour boom provided rangatahi and whānau Māori with ample employment, 'incomes that were almost equal to those of Pākehā, and access to family welfare benefits that boosted the incomes of large families by around 50 percent.'[ii] go to footnote However, the financial rewards were offset by one or both parents working long hours to cover the costs of city living and it exposed Māori to discrimination. The Department of Māori Affairs played a welfare role in the lives of whānau Māori during this period, with a policy of integrating Māori into the social fabric of ‘mainstream’ New Zealand society. Through housing allocation policies attempts were made to pepper pot Māori in Pākehā suburban streets.[iii] go to footnote Young Māori women who moved to the cities for essential industry work or single rangatahi simply moving to the city for work opportunities were directed into hostels.
Before the 1950s, child welfare agencies endeavoured to keep Māori children with their families or in their own tribal area.[iv] go to footnote In the 1950s, Māori became a disproportionate minority in all areas of child welfare work with a steady growth in Māori juvenile delinquency with recorded Māori offending at three or four times the rate of Pākehā, particularly in the 15–20 age.[v] go to footnote
Chronology events
Displaying 141 - 150 of 270 events.
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Royal Commission on Social Security
Stated that the purpose of social security was to provide dependent people with ‘…a standard of living consistent with human dignity…irrespective of the cause of dependency’.[i]
Date: 1972 Period: 1972-1989 -
Youths in residential institutions
The number of young people in residential institutions tripled between 1948 and 1972. Government financial transfers to the voluntary sector increased markedly during this period.[i]
Date: 1972 Period: 1972-1989 -
Introduction of the Domestic Purposes Benefit
Financial support for sole parents caring for dependent children, regardless of situation introduced by the Fourth Labour Government.[i]
Date: 1973 Period: 1972-1989 -
1967 Māori Affairs Act repealed
Despite the repeal, the damage of the last seven years in regards to the alienation of Māori land had already been done.[i]
Date: 1974 Period: 1972-1989 -
Children and Young Persons Act
The Children and Young Persons Act 1974 replaced the Child Welfare Act 1925. The Act was founded on the principle of the interests of the child or young person as the first and paramount consideration.[i]
Date: 1974 Period: 1972-1989 -
The Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975
This Act established the Waitangi Tribunal.[i]
Date: 1975 Period: 1972-1989 -
McCombs Report (Towards Partnership)
Criticised the lack of Māori, Pacific people and women in school governance, the isolation of school boards from communities and the concentration of power in the Department of Education.[i]
Date: 1976 Period: 1972-1989 -
Domestic Purposes Benefit Review Committee
Established under the Third National Government, the committee’s report stated that the DPB was needed and should be retained.[i]
Date: 1977 Period: 1972-1989 -
National Superannuation Scheme redesigned
The redesign took place under a National government. Superannuation was initially paid from the age of 60 years, but cutbacks were made throughout the following decades.[i]
Date: 1977 Period: 1972-1989 -
Raupuora project launched by MWWL
Led by Erihapeti Murchie, the report analysed the health perceptions of 1,177 Māori women.[i]
Date: 1977 Period: 1972-1989
Footnotes
- [i] go to main content Tim Garlick, Social Developments: An organizational history of the Ministry of Social Development and its predecessors, 1860-2011, Steele Roberts Aotearoa, Wellington, 2012, p.70.
- [ii] go to main content Melissa Matutina Williams, Panguru and the City, Bridget Williams Books, Wellington, 2010, p. 195.
- [iii] go to main content Urbanisation – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
- [iv] go to main content Bronwyn Dalley, Family Matters, Wellington, 1998, p. 6.
- [v] go to main content Dalley, 1998, p. 192.