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 81 events.
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Abuse in Care Royal Commission
The Government announced the establishment of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care (later extended to include Faith-based Institutions). The Royal Commission’s contextual hearing, its first substantive public hearing, was hel…
Date: 2018 Period: 1990-current -
Families Commission disestablished
The Families and Whānau Wellbeing Research Programme, and Growing Up in New Zealand, were transferred to the Research and Evaluation Unit of MSD.[i]
Date: 2018 Period: 1990-current -
Section 70a benefit reductions removed
Under section 70a of the Social Security Act 1964, the benefit received by a sole parent is reduced for each dependent child for whom they do not seek child support [subject to some exemptions]. The reductions apply if a sole parent receiving benefit does …
Date: 2018 Period: 1990-current -
Te Arawhiti established
In 2018 Cabinet agreed to establish Te Arawhiti – an agency to oversee the Government’s work with Māori in a post-Treaty settlement era. Te Arawhiti’s scope includes: Te Kāhui Whakatau (Treaty Settlements), Te Kāhui Whakamana (Settlement Commitments), and …
Date: 2018 Period: 1990-current -
Welfare Expert Advisory Group established
The government established the Welfare Expert Advisory Group to provide advice on the future of New Zealand’s social security system. The report, Whakamana Tangata, Restoring Dignity to Social Security in New Zealand was released in May 2019, and made over…
Date: 2018 Period: 1990-current -
Child and youth wellbeing strategy
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) introduced the strategy, framework and programme of action.[i]
Date: 2019 Period: 1990-current -
Inquiries into uplift of a week-old baby
The two inquiries focused on what became known as the ‘Hastings Uplift’ by Oranga Tamariki. This involved an attempted uplifting of a baby without notice under a section 78 custody order in May 2019. The mother’s first child had been taken into care and de…
Date: 2019 Period: 1990-current -
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities was established.[i]
Date: 2019 Period: 1990-current -
s7AA Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
Section 7AA came into force on 1 July 2019. It sets out specific duties of the chief executive in order to ‘recognise and provide a practical commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (te Tiriti o Waitangi)’ as stipulated by section 4 of the A…
Date: 2019 Period: 1990-current -
Te Pae Tawhiti and Te Pae Tata launched
Te Pae Tawhiti was introduced by MSD as a strategic direction. The three strategic shifts included: Mana Manaaki (creating a positive experience); Kotahitanga (partnering for greater impact) and Kia Takatū tatou (supporting long-term social and economic de…
Date: 2019 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)