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 151 - 160 of 270 events.
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Auckland social welfare homes inquiry
An inquiry into allegations of cruel and inhuman punishment of young people in Auckland Social Welfare homes in June 1978. The inquiry was hosted by ACCORD, Ngā Tamatoa, and Arohanui Inc.[i]
Date: 1978 Period: 1972-1989 -
Departmental guidelines for processing abuse cases
The Department formulated preparatory guidelines for the processing of child abuse cases, then established a pilot multi-disciplinary child abuse project to trial the guidelines and assemble a register of abuse cases. Trial project began in Hamilton in ea…
Date: 1978 Period: 1972-1989 -
Tu Tangata introduced
The Department of Māori Affairs introduced the Tu Tangata programme as an attempt to empower Māori and to change focus from a government department with all the power concentrated at one level. Part of this new philosophy was the Kokiri community administr…
Date: 1978 Period: 1972-1989 -
Intensive Foster Care schemes
The Department of Social Welfare established Intensive Foster Care schemes to match more difficult children with carefully selected foster parents, who received training, advice and support.[i]
Date: 1979 Period: 1972-1989 -
Māori Welfare Act 1979 becomes Māori Community Development Act
Said to have symbolised a shift in emphasis away from what was seen as ‘welfare-statism’ towards ‘community empowerment and self-reliance’.[i]
Date: 1979 Period: 1972-1989 -
The Family Court Act
Established the Family Court. Its jurisdiction included marriage and its dissolution, adoption, guardianship, paternity, matrimonial property and spousal and child maintenance. It was later expanded further to include care of children and child protection …
Date: 1980 Period: 1972-1989 -
Borstals closed
The last of the borstals was closed by the Criminal Justice Amendment (No 2) Act 1980.[i]
Date: 1981 Period: 1972-1989 -
Bi-culturism
Hiwi Tauroa, freshly minted Race Relations Conciliator, releases a report called “Race Against Time” in which he argues that race relations in New Zealand needs urgent attention.
Date: 1982 Period: 1972-1989 -
Group Employment Liaison Service established
Group Employment Liaison Service (GELS) was established within the Department of Labour. GEL targeted unemployed with the aim of facilitating access to employment and training programmes via community fieldworkers, most of whom were Māori.[i] GELS was abs…
Date: 1982 Period: 1972-1989 -
Kohanga Reo
The first Kōhanga Reo was supported by the Department of Māori Affairs. A year later, there were 100 (currently over 460). As well as reviving Te Reo Māori, the aims included immersing children and whānau in Māori child rearing practices.[i]
Date: 1982 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)