Chronology for 1990-current
Kei hea te rito? Bi-culturalising welfare
Multiple waves of welfare reform occur throughout this period in line with changing government leaders and governments. Between November 1990 and 1999 the National Government welfare reforms were made under Ruth Richardson. Economic and Social Initiative (ESI) outlines proposed social and employment policy changes ‘(Jim Bolger, Ruth Richardson and Bill Birch were the authors)’. This led to the Employment Contracts Act 1991, and eligibility and benefit cuts to increase work incentives, work testing and means testing family benefit via new ‘Family Support’ payments.[i] go to footnote
‘Māori welfare dependency rose while incomes decreased to such an extent that in 1990 the average income of Māori households languished at about 20 percent below the average income for New Zealand households as a whole’.[ii] go to footnote The rate of Māori unemployment continued to climb, reaching 25.4 percent of the total Māori workforce in 1992.’[iii] go to footnote By the end of this period the wellbeing of Māori children remained a dominating issue. In July 2020, there were 4,179 tamariki Māori in state care, representing 69 percent of the total care population. By 31 December 2020, Māori comprised 75 percent of the children and young people currently in the Youth Justice custody of the chief executive. This compared to the nine percent in custody who identified as New Zealand European or other.[iv] go to footnote
Between 1999 and 2008 the Fifth Labour Government placed some emphasis on addressing inequalities and family development. A further round of benefit cuts and beneficiary obligations followed with the National Government 2011–2017. This National Government also focused on more targeted spending through adopting a Social Investment approach.
Iwi Māori sought greater control over their welfare. It was a period of growth of post-settlement agreements or accords, where largely settled iwi were engaged in long-term work with different government departments focusing on a range of cultural, social, economic and environmental outcomes for their people.
Chronology events
Displaying 1 - 10 of 270 events.
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Te Whakaputanga
Northern Rangatira sign Declaration of Independence.
Date: 1835 Period: 1835-1899 -
Māori population estimated at 80,000
An iwi Māori population supports a dependent Pākehā population of approximately 2,000 c.1839.
Date: 1840 Period: 1835-1899 -
Signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is signed on 6 February 1840 at Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands.
Date: 1840 Period: 1835-1899 -
Beginning of the New Zealand Wars
The New Zealand Wars (1845 to 1872).
Date: 1845 Period: 1835-1899 -
Destitute Persons Ordinance
Promoted the start of the family responsibility themes in New Zealand social policy.[i] Was put in place due to concern about ‘dangerous lunatics’ and made families financially responsible for their own members.[ii] Became New Zealand’s first income suppor…
Date: 1846 Period: 1835-1899 -
Hospitals established in the North Island
The establishment of state-financed hospitals in Auckland, Wellington, Wanganui, and New Plymouth, creating the nucleus of a national hospital system.[i]
Date: 1846 Period: 1835-1899 -
Limited government support for Mission Schools
Māori women played a significant role in establishing Mission Schools. Māori children were initially educated in Mission Schools, separate from Pākehā children, and received some funding from government from 1847.
Date: 1847 Period: 1835-1899 -
Pensions Ordinance
Provided a limited pension for volunteers and others who were disabled or seriously wounded while acting with or in aid of the Crown forces in the suppression of the rebellion in the far north of New Zealand in 1845/46.[i]
Date: 1849 Period: 1835-1899 -
Civil List for ‘Native purposes’
From 1852 the Civil List included a sum of £7,000 for 'Native Purposes' including medicines and medical services.[i]
Date: 1852 Period: 1835-1899 -
New Zealand Constitution Act
New Zealand is now self-governing, with allowances made for self-governing Māori districts. Provinces are responsible for the ‘needy poor’.
Date: 1852 Period: 1835-1899
Footnotes
- [i] go to main content Ben Loughrey-Webb, ‘The Welfare Reforms of the Fourth (1990-99) and Fifth (2008-2014) National Governments: A Critical Analysis and Evaluation’, MA Thesis, University of Otago, 2015, pp. 63-8.
- [ii] go to main content Atholl Anderson, Judith Binney, Aroha Harris, Tangata Whenua: An Illustrated History, Bridget Williams Books, Wellington, 2014, p. 426.
- [iii] go to main content Tangata Whenua, p. 426.
- [iv] go to main content For this and further examples, see: He Pāharakeke, he Rito Whakakīkinga Whāruarua (justice.govt.nz)