Kaupapa Maori and responsiveness : New Zealand Children and Young Persons Service management responsiveness to Maori in the restructured state sector : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Policy and Social Work, Massey University, New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis is about the responsiveness of the Department of Social Welfare's social work division, the New Zealand Children and Young Persons Service (since 1992), to Kaupapa Maori. It examines the relationship of the Treaty of Waitangi to Maori welfare status and the commitment of this organisation to biculturalism. It takes the position that Maori people have been and continue to be disadvantaged by monocultural attitudes, beliefs and practices within the statutory social work system and that managers are in a position to improve that. An examination of the poor social and economic status of Maori is included with exploration of the historical exclusion of Maori from mainstream society. The thesis focuses on the report Puao Te Ata Tu (Ministerial Advisory Committee,1986a and 1986b) and the pivotal position this has taken within the Department of Social Welfare because Puao Te Ata Tu provides a benchmark from which to measure bicultural awareness and progress. This measurement is undertaken by drawing on literature relevant to Kaupapa Maori, management and the social services, and to the responses of eleven managers to questions on Kaupapa Maori and management responsiveness. This thesis was written at a time of major reform within the state sector and within the Department of Social Welfare. The history of the state sector reforms, the impact on the provision of statutory social work services, and the provision of services to Maori are analysed. The thesis argues that while change was widespread within the state sector the response by the Department of Social Welfare to Maori became less effective. This was especially so after the election of the National Government in 1990 and the subsequent disestablishment of structures that provided links between the Department of Social Welfare and the wider community, including Maori. Structural reform and policy confusion were seen to be pivotal as disadvantaging Maori but it became evident during the research that managerial attitudes were also a significant factor regarding the responsiveness of the New Zealand Children and Young Persons Service to Kaupapa Maori.