Maori Welfare Officers Meet The Minister

Te Ao Hou, November 1973, Page 13

Maori Welfare Officers Meet The Minister The Maori Welfare Officers' Association held a conference at Parewahawaha Marae, Bulls, at the end of September, to discuss matters important to their future status and duties. The conference was notable for the fact that the officers limited themselves to in-depth discussion on only two remits, and that the opinions expressed were completely frank and down-to-earth. This proved to be most stimulating and successful, and one result is that committee members under their new chairman, Mr Sam Mihaere of Palmerston North, will have further discussions with senior departmental officers on the recommendations made at the conference. Guest of honour was the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. Matiu Rata, who welcomed the opportunity to meet the officers formally and spoke of the immense importance of the Maori Welfare Division as it had developed from the organisation set up during the Second World War. He stressed that the division's fundamental task was to ensure the means whereby the Maori people were able to do things for themselves, and repeated that this would remain the central concern of Government. He spoke of the social, economic and cultural advancement of the Maori people having reached a stage where impatience, dismay and disenchantment with the progress being

made could cause problems, and assured the conference that the Government would not risk impairing the good and steady progress made to date. He referred to the changing circumstances of Maori and Island peoples in urban areas with the resultant complex social difficulties and the need to make changes to meet these new situations, and said that the responsibility to build a successful bi-cultural society based on the abundance of goodwill present throughout the community rested on everyone. He considered that it was not impossible for the Maori people to make, in the next 15 years, advancements that had in the past taken almost 200 years, and that New Zealand would benefit greatly from some aspects of Maori life. The Minister mentioned the excellent work done by the committees and councils, leagues and bodies currently existing, but said that improvements and more effective progress could be made, and that amending legislation to the Maori Welfare Act 1962 would be passed next year, giving greater emphasis to increased opportunities for Maori people to participate in decision-making affecting their general well-being and advancement. Speaking of the role of Maori Welfare Officers he said, “The role of the Maori Welfare Officer is unique within the framework of Government social agencies in that his activities and powers are not limited to specific tasks on the basis of statutory regulations. As you know, your work encompasses any matter which promotes the welfare and progress of the Maori and Island people either as individuals or groups. “The work of welfare officers has called for enthusiasm, courage, initiative, energy, patience, tact and an understanding of the Maori people and their aspirations, the capacity to influence leadership and, above all, common sense. I am aware also that your work will continue to be, as in the past, to encourage and assist in matters of housing, education, vocational training, trade training, health and physical welfare, law and order — to name but a few facets. Undoubtedly, this work will continue for some years yet, but the prime role of officers is to work with groups on community development in an effort to prevent casework arising. Let me assure you that your work has not gone unnoticed. “Since 1 April 1969, the number of welfare officers in the department has increased by 33. Twelve of these have been appointed since the beginning of this year, the increases being principally in the urban areas of Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton. Ten officers are concerned with the Pacific Island communities in Auckland, Rotorua and Wellington and two others have been assigned to ‘J Team’ duties — or, as they are affectionately known — the ‘Tiki Patrol’. “Apart from urban areas and district office headquarters, welfare officers have recently been posted to the offices in Hawera, Wairoa, Masterton and Invercargill. Two officers were posted to Otara last year and it is proposed to open similar offices in other suburban areas of Auckland and Wellington. There are 11 vacancies which have not been filled yet because of the shortage of suitably qualified personnel. The requirements for the job are, properly, fairly stringent. “Earlier this year I gave approval for a third ‘J Team’ for Auckland, and to ease the pressure on the existing group covering the Otara/Mangere territory, I propose, by at least March of next year, to approve a further team. As you know the composition of the team includes a Maori Welfare Officer, a Youth Aid Officer of the Police and a clergyman. In complimenting those concerned in this work it is particularly heartening to read in the New Zealand Police Report to Parliament for the year ended 31 March 1973: ‘Without attempting to claim any basic connection, or any credit, because many other organisations are working in this field too, it is nevertheless pleasing to be able to report a very large reduction in the number of Maori children dealth with by the Youth Aid Section at Auckland. In 1972 there was a decrease of 482 cases, 19.3 per cent from the 1971 figures of 2482.’ “This preventive role, which is proving

successful, is such that I will be approving the opportunity for District Welfare Officers from other districts to see at first hand the operations of a selected team, and arrangements will be made for them to spend a few days in Auckland to gain some insight into and knowledge of the methods and techniques employed, so they can apply similar principles in their own districts following proper and full consultation with local bodies and community workers concerned.” Referring to the reorganisation of staff, the Minister continued, “To meet the significant growth of the work of social welfare in the department the new post of ‘Executive Director for Social Services’ has replaced the post of ‘Controller of Maori Welfare’. Further developments under consideration involve regional control, the provision of extra administrative support, and the provision of a specialist staff training officer to meet the needs of Maori Welfare Officers and the proposed training school. For District Welfare Officers who, at the present time, attend departmental conferences about every two years for interchange of views, review of services and so on, I propose to consider making this requirement an annual one. “It is pleasing to note that at the present time ten officers hold the qualification of Diploma in Social Science and two have B.A. degrees — a desirable trend, particularly in urban work, which increases their opportunities for promotion. In the past, two officers each year on a full pay bursary have attended Victoria University for a two-year course leading to the diploma in social work. This number is to be increased to four officers as from next year and I would hope for a further increase in the future to five or six per annum. “My colleague the Minister of Social Welfare and I are giving consideration to an interchange of Maori Welfare Officers and Social Workers of the Social Welfare Department for periods of up to 12 months to enable officers to gain personal work experience and a better understanding of each agency's functions. “Ultimately, the progress made by our people will rest in their own hands and we must resist the temptation to do things for them, but rather we must make it possible for them to do things for themselves. They neither want nor expect charity or privileges and I am confident that, given the opportunity, understanding and patient listening to their point of view, they will respond, to the benefit of themselves and their families. Steps have already been taken in a number of fields to widen the scope to achieve this. I place as a matter of high priority the opportunity for the young Maori to acquire a skill. This includes those from urban areas wishing to take up trade training, as well as adults, particularly in the building industry. Girls, also, must have opportunities provided for them. “In housing I expect that current proposals will do much to alleviate the substandard conditions which persist for many families. “There are also to be changes in land policies. Some have already been announced and further major amendments should appear later this year or early next year. I also intend to include the restructuring of the Department of Maori and Island Affairs. “Other changes will include the functions of the Maori Purposes Fund Board, to emphasise the importance Government places on the traditional and cultural aspects of the Maori people. “Knowledge of Maori language and studies will be a continuing requirement in the qualifications of welfare officers. I am at the present time considering similar principles for administrative and other staff members of the department. “Mr Chairman, I trust that what I have said will help you understand what the Government believes is necessary to meet the needs of our people. While expecting loyalty to the department, I further trust that officers will continue to find this important work rewarding and personally satisfying. “Again, I appreciate this opportunity of speaking to you and I look forward, in due course, to receiving the considerations of your conference.”