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 121 - 130 of 270 events.
-
Auckland Māori Committees offering services to new migrants
Thirty-three Māori Committees were operating in Auckland, offering services to assist new migrants to the city. Support included budgeting advice and advocacy on behalf of Māori people in their relations with Pākehā landlords or the authorities. In Ōtara, …
Date: 1966 Period: 1938-1971 -
Maori school leavers low achievement
Over 85% of Māori leave school with no qualifications.[i]
Date: 1966 Period: 1938-1971 -
Te Unga Waka centre
The centre was built by the Māori Catholic Community of Auckland.
Date: 1966 Period: 1938-1971 -
Māori Affairs Amendment Act
This Act was described by Māori as the ‘last land grab’[i] Despite widespread opposition of Māori, including the NZMC and the Māori members of Parliament, this Act made it possible for the government to compulsorily convert Māori freehold land with four or…
Date: 1967 Period: 1938-1971 -
Department of Māori and Island Affairs created
Department of Māori Affairs was amalgamated with the Department of Island Territories to create the new Department of Māori and Island Affairs. There was no change in overall policy or the types of work done; Polynesian welfare officers were appointed to t…
Date: 1968 Period: 1938-1971 -
Introduction of domestic purposes emergency benefit
In 1968 the government agreed to introduce a domestic purposes emergency benefit for circumstances not covered by a statutory benefit. Viewed as an emergency benefit which specifically met the needs of sole parents, grouping deserted wives and separated an…
Date: 1968 Period: 1938-1971 -
Māori Organisation on Human Rights formed
Date: 1968 Period: 1938-1971 -
The Guardianship Act
Defined and regulated the authority of parents as guardians of their children, their power to appoint guardians, and the powers of the Courts in relation to the custody and guardianship of children.[i]
Date: 1968 Period: 1938-1971 -
Committee for Research into Illegitimacy
The committee launched a comprehensive study, led by Victoria University lecturer Jim Robb and including members of the Child Welfare Division. The descriptive study was undertaken in order to construct a profile of the unmarried mother.[i] The study concl…
Date: 1969 Period: 1938-1971 -
Hokio Beach residence
The residence was for boys aged 11-14 and was one of several residences that catered for the growing Māori population in the Child Welfare Division’s homes. In the late 1960s it introduced Māori language, history, and culture into the curriculum.[i]
Date: 1969 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)