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 61 - 70 of 270 events.
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Public Works Act
The 1928 Act continued most of the principles and policies developed in previous years, including many of the inheritances of the 1882 Act regarding Māori land. However, land could be taken under the Public Works Act 1928 for State housing purposes, provid…
Date: 1928 Period: 1900-1937 -
First Māori Women’s Institute formed
The first Maori Women's Institute, Te Awapuni, was formed at Kohupātiki in Hawkes Bay.
Date: 1929 Period: 1900-1937 -
Native Land Amendment and Native and Claims Adjustment Acts 1929
Māori Land development schemes begin. They provide a lifeline to whānau Māori.
Date: 1929 Period: 1900-1937 -
The Division of Māori Hygiene disbanded
Responsibility for Māori health passed to the Department of Public Health’s medical officers.[i]
Date: 1930 Period: 1900-1937 -
The Great Depression
Unemployment grew to 12%, forming a new group demanding government assistance. The government set up an Unemployment Board and legislated to raise an annual levy of 30 shillings from every adult working male to fund the Board’s activities which became an i…
Date: 1930 Period: 1900-1937 -
Unemployment Act
Established government responsibility for the support of the unemployed, but relief works and payments proved inadequate.[i] The Act established an Unemployment Board, charged with making arrangements with employers for the employment of the unemployed, pr…
Date: 1930 Period: 1900-1937 -
Native Land Act
Removed recognition of adoptions by Māori custom for things such as succession to native land where there was no will (unless the adoption had been registered pre-31 March 1910 and was still in place). The Act also impacted land development and title.[i]
Date: 1931 Period: 1900-1937 -
Health Camps
The first permanent Children’s Health Camp was built at Ōtaki.[i]
Date: 1932 Period: 1900-1937 -
Māori Purposes Fund Act
During 1934-35, this Act constituted the Māori Purposes Fund Board, charged with promoting Māori health, education, social and economic wellbeing. It amalgamated three former Boards: The Māori Ethnological Research Board (1923); The Māori Purposes Fund Con…
Date: 1934 Period: 1900-1937 -
Native Housing Act
Initiated the beginning of nationwide surveys.[i]
Date: 1935 Period: 1900-1937
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)