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 141 - 150 of 270 events.
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Royal Commission on Social Security
Stated that the purpose of social security was to provide dependent people with ‘…a standard of living consistent with human dignity…irrespective of the cause of dependency’.[i]
Date: 1972 Period: 1972-1989 -
Youths in residential institutions
The number of young people in residential institutions tripled between 1948 and 1972. Government financial transfers to the voluntary sector increased markedly during this period.[i]
Date: 1972 Period: 1972-1989 -
Introduction of the Domestic Purposes Benefit
Financial support for sole parents caring for dependent children, regardless of situation introduced by the Fourth Labour Government.[i]
Date: 1973 Period: 1972-1989 -
1967 Māori Affairs Act repealed
Despite the repeal, the damage of the last seven years in regards to the alienation of Māori land had already been done.[i]
Date: 1974 Period: 1972-1989 -
Children and Young Persons Act
The Children and Young Persons Act 1974 replaced the Child Welfare Act 1925. The Act was founded on the principle of the interests of the child or young person as the first and paramount consideration.[i]
Date: 1974 Period: 1972-1989 -
The Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975
This Act established the Waitangi Tribunal.[i]
Date: 1975 Period: 1972-1989 -
McCombs Report (Towards Partnership)
Criticised the lack of Māori, Pacific people and women in school governance, the isolation of school boards from communities and the concentration of power in the Department of Education.[i]
Date: 1976 Period: 1972-1989 -
Domestic Purposes Benefit Review Committee
Established under the Third National Government, the committee’s report stated that the DPB was needed and should be retained.[i]
Date: 1977 Period: 1972-1989 -
National Superannuation Scheme redesigned
The redesign took place under a National government. Superannuation was initially paid from the age of 60 years, but cutbacks were made throughout the following decades.[i]
Date: 1977 Period: 1972-1989 -
Raupuora project launched by MWWL
Led by Erihapeti Murchie, the report analysed the health perceptions of 1,177 Māori women.[i]
Date: 1977 Period: 1972-1989
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)