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 11 - 20 of 81 events.
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Māori Development Conference - Hui Whakapumau
A two-day meeting of Māori who gathered to review the Decade of Māori Development 1984–94, and to focus on issues which needed to be addressed if ‘self-determination and social justice were to prevail’. Hui called for a shift in focus from iwi development …
Date: 1994 Period: 1990-current -
The Fiscal Envelope policy
This policy capped all historical Treaty settlements at one billion dollars. Regional hui were held 1994-95 to discuss the Fiscal Envelope which was unanimously rejected by Māori.[i]
Date: 1994 Period: 1990-current -
Community Wage and Job Seeker agreements
Agreements/contracts introduced for up to 20 hours per week. Work for the dole programme replaced unemployment, sickness and training benefits.[i]
Date: 1996 Period: 1990-current -
Hui Whakapiripiri
This hui on strategic directions for Māori health led to a Declaration for Māori Health Researchers and reinforced the belief that research on Māori should be by Māori and for Māori.[i]
Date: 1996 Period: 1990-current -
Post-election briefing
The paper: Strategic Directions: post-election briefing (Wellington: Department of Social Welfare, 1996) proposed further welfare reforms to address welfare dependency.[i]
Date: 1996 Period: 1990-current -
Code of Social and Family Responsibility
Attempted to further strengthen the responsibility of families and communities to meet their own needs but was met with strong resistance and dropped.[i]
Date: 1997 Period: 1990-current -
Community Wage Programme changes
Sickness benefits reduced to same as unemployment benefit.[i]
Date: 1997 Period: 1990-current -
Domestic Purposes Benefit cuts
Including: parents with children aged between 7 and 13 being required to look for part-time work, or full-time work if children were aged over 14.[i]
Date: 1997 Period: 1990-current -
Tῡ Mana Motuhake conference
The Tῡ Mana Motuhake – Beyond Dependency conference was a four-day event sponsored by MSD and other government agencies including Ministries of Health, Women’s Affairs and Youth Affairs and NZ Police as well as Te Puni Kōkiri. The conference ‘aimed to enco…
Date: 1997 Period: 1990-current -
Inequalities highlighed in TPK report
Te Puni Kōkiri report "Progress Towards Closing the Social and Economic Gaps Between Māori and non-Māori" highlights significant inequalities in education, employment, economic and health status. In January 1998, Tau Hēnare, the Minister of Māori Affairs…
Date: 1998 Period: 1990-current
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)