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 11 - 20 of 270 events.
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First attempts at a Māori Census
This marked the first attempt at a separate Māori census.[i]
Date: 1857 Period: 1835-1899 -
Resistance to land alienation
Māori began to assert resistance to land alienation throughout the country.
Date: 1857 Period: 1835-1899 -
Te Aukati established in Waikato
Te Wherowhero becomes the first Māori King.
Date: 1858 Period: 1835-1899 -
First Kohimarama conference
Governor Thomas Gore Browne held a conference at Kohimarama, Tāmaki Makaurau, in August 1860. This was an attempt to prevent the fighting in Taranaki from spreading to other areas. [i]
Date: 1860 Period: 1835-1899 -
Native Lands Act
Established the Native Land Court, an important means of Crown land acquisition and assimilation.
Date: 1862 Period: 1835-1899 -
New Zealand Settlements Act
War, followed by land confiscation, became another way of implementing social policy to transfer land into Pākehā hands.[i] Roads were also constructed for the military and for economic expansion, especially farming communities, that would draw Māori withi…
Date: 1863 Period: 1835-1899 -
Land confiscations
First proclamation confiscating land under the New Zealand Settlements Act. [i]
Date: 1864 Period: 1835-1899 -
Public Works legislation
Permits the compulsory acquisition of Māori land. [i]
Date: 1864 Period: 1835-1899 -
Native Land Court
The Native Lands Act of 1862 gave the Governor authority to establish a Native Land Court in any district defined by him. Those found by the court to be owners were then at liberty to sell or let land directly to settlers. [i]
Date: 1865 Period: 1835-1899 -
Military Pensions Act 1866
The Military Pensions Act 1866 provided for members of the Colonial Forces killed or wounded on active service in the New Zealand wars. Payments were higher for European members. Special allowances could also be provided to family (widows children and othe…
Date: 1866 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)