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 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 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.