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 71 - 80 of 270 events.
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New housing, employment, and social security policies
Under the first Labour government, these new policies[i] turned needs into rights and then allied these needs and rights with those of the middle classes drawing on a philosophy of the vulnerability of every individual in the face of wider forces.[ii] Fami…
Date: 1935 Period: 1900-1937 -
Maori engagement in economy
Māori land holdings: 4,992,013 acres, and 8.3% of Māori women engaged in paid employment.
Date: 1936 Period: 1900-1937 -
Ngāti Poneke Young Māori Club formed
YMC formed via Lady Pomare’s Welfare Committee.[i]
Date: 1936 Period: 1900-1937 -
Social Security Act
Various forms of governmental assistance that supported family life began: sickness and unemployment benefits, subsidised medical care, state housing schemes, mortgage relief, and later a universal family benefit.[i] The Act brought heath and income mainte…
Date: 1938 Period: 1938-1971 -
First national conference of Young Māori Leaders
There were sessions on economic conditions, housing, health, education, and Māori in the community.
Date: 1939 Period: 1938-1971 -
Outbreak of World War 2
The 28th Māori Battalion is formed and more than 17,000 men enlist.[i]
Date: 1939 Period: 1938-1971 -
Child Welfare Branch concerns re Maori youth
The Child Welfare Branch’s annual reports from the early 1940s noted a growing ‘problem’ among Māori youth. Māori increasingly appeared in children’s courts. Māori youths outnumbered Pākehā coming before the Northland courts by 2.5:1 in 1940-41, although M…
Date: 1940 Period: 1938-1971 -
Māori Purposes Act
Marriages in accordance with Māori custom, and certain earlier adoption orders, were deemed valid for specific land purposes.[i]
Date: 1940 Period: 1938-1971 -
Review of the Child Welfare Division
New Zealand Council of Educational Research review of the Child Welfare Division found that, amongst the approximately 2,500 children in church-run care institutions in 1940, none were Māori.[i]
Date: 1940 Period: 1938-1971 -
Universal superannuation begins
Universal superannuation introduced by the second Labour Government.[i]
Date: 1940 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)