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 171 - 180 of 270 events.
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Report on institutional racism released
The Ministerial Advisory Committee report revealed that 62% of children in residential homes in the Auckland area were Māori.[i] The Māori Advisory Unit concluded that the Department was racist in the institutional sense; it was a typical, hierarchical bu…
Date: 1985 Period: 1972-1989 -
The Adult Adoption Information Act
Enabled adopted children and birth parents to access information about each other, but allowed birth parents to request a veto on their information so that the child would not have access to the information.[i]
Date: 1985 Period: 1972-1989 -
Waitangi Tribunal powers extended
The Waitangi Tribunal empowered to investigate Treaty claims dating back to 1840.[i]
Date: 1985 Period: 1972-1989 -
Puao-Te-Ata-Tu released
The Minister of Social Welfare Ann Hercus released Puao-te-ata-tu (Report of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on a Māori Perspective for Social Welfare) after the end of a special ministerial inquiry led by John Rangihau involving over 60 hui across the …
Date: 1986 Period: 1972-1989 -
Royal Commission on Social Policy established
In 1986 the government established the Royal Commission on Social Policy, which published its report in 1988. This was occurring at the same time as Puao-te-ata- tu. Commissioners appointed were Sir Ivor Richardson [Chair], Ann Ballin, Marion Bruce, Len Co…
Date: 1986 Period: 1972-1989 -
Te Whainga i Te Tika – In Search of Justice
The report of the Advisory Committee on Legal Services raised concerns about: children lacking effective legal protections; young people not understanding what was happening in courtrooms; institutional racism; and identified children and young people unde…
Date: 1986 Period: 1972-1989 -
Mana Enterprises Development Programme
Mana Enterprises Development Programme and MACCESS – Māori Access Schemes – provided small business loans to Māori business initiatives, and subsidised employment schemes tailored to Māori.[i] Te Whānau o Waipareira was designated by the Department of Mao…
Date: 1987 Period: 1972-1989 -
Māori Language Act
Te reo Māori becomes an official language.[i]
Date: 1987 Period: 1972-1989 -
Māori Women's Development Fund
Established by the Māori Women’s Welfare League with a grant from the Mana Enterprise Development Committee.[i]
Date: 1987 Period: 1972-1989 -
NZMC v AG court case
Colloquially known as the 'Lands Case', NZ Māori Council v The Attorney-General is the first time that the Treaty principles are articulated in the Courts, specifically the five principles articulated by the Appeal Court judges.
Date: 1987 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.