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 111 - 120 of 270 events.
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Hunn Report published
This report on the Department of Maori Affairs - The Hunn Report, named for its author Jack Hunn - examined the social and economic circumstances of the Māori people. It analysed three specific trends for which Hunn said future policy should account: the …
Date: 1961 Period: 1938-1971 -
Social Welfare Advisory Board
The Social Welfare Advisory Board was established by the Public Services Commission to co-ordinate State welfare activities and to report on the feasibility of establishing a Department of Social Welfare.
Date: 1961 Period: 1938-1971 -
The Māori Education Foundation Act
Set up after the Hunn report, mainly using Department of Education staff, to lift Māori education standards ‘equal to that of the Pākehā’ by encouraging Māori into secondary and tertiary education.[i]
Date: 1961 Period: 1938-1971 -
1955 Adoption Act and its 1962 amendment
Whangai was not a valid practice under these Acts, which ensured the secrecy of parents was upheld in the adoption process. Adoptions passed to the general courts signalling the completion of legal assimilation in this area of tīkanga Māori. The following …
Date: 1962 Period: 1938-1971 -
New Zealand Māori Council formed
The Māori Council was described by Miria Szaszy as an undermining of wāhine Māori leadership and organisation.[i] The Māori Social and Economic Advancement Amendment Act 1961 contained the title ‘New Zealand Māori Council’.[ii] The Act accorded recognitio…
Date: 1962 Period: 1938-1971 -
The Currie Report
Report of the Commission on Education in New Zealand reinforced the State’s provision and control of education. Advocated equality of opportunity, drew attention to the disparity in Māori education and recommended Te Reo as an optional subject at secondary…
Date: 1962 Period: 1938-1971 -
Māori Welfare Amendment Act
Section 2 of Act reinstated the Māori Committees’ authority over wardens, carried out by agreement between the NZMC and the Crown, and at the request of the NZMC.[i]
Date: 1963 Period: 1938-1971 -
‘Washday at the Pa’ published
The publication was distributed and then withdrawn from circulation following complaints from Māori and in particular the MWWL which asserted the booklet was a misrepresentation of Māori family life.[i]
Date: 1964 Period: 1938-1971 -
A Justice Department study into preventing child abuse
The Justice Department began a study of preventative measures aimed at the three categories of child abusers it had identified. Categories: the young and inadequate mother with a large family and little emotional support; the tense and perfectionist type…
Date: 1965 Period: 1938-1971 -
First urban marae
Te Puea, the country's first urban marae, opened in Auckland.
Date: 1965 Period: 1938-1971
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)