Lack of understanding ‘concerns’ Maoris
PA Wellington The Social Welfare Department’s lack of recognition of Maori culture is of concern to Maori people, according to a Maori Perspective Advisory Committee member, Ms Donna Hall. The seven-member committee was established by the Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs Hercus, to study how the department could best meet the needs of the Maori people. “We’re now more than half way through our visits to maraes throughout the country and already it is very clear that there are big problems with the department’s understanding of Maori culture,” Ms Hall said.
“The department is more than competent to
deal with Western or nuclear-type family situations, but it appears there is no reognition of the Maori family structure,” said Ms Hall. “The Maori family structure is totally differently from the nuclear family found in New Zealand and needs to be handled completely different too. “In fact it is obvious that the department is going to have to adopt a bi-cultural approach in its servi'ces,” she said. One particular area where the Maori culture was different to the way the department is at present handling the procedure was with adoption. “It is of great importance with Maori adoptions that the adopted person is able to learn the identity of his true parents,” said Ms Hall.
“There have been many problems and unnecessary hurt over this issue in the past,” she said. Ms Hall said she hoped that the new Adoption Information Act which comes into effect later this year, “should go some way towards rectifying this problem.” She said one of the biggest problems facing the department was the “gradual breakdown of the Maori family structure.”
“To deal with this the department is going to have to change and it is gratifying to see the department already on the move and looking at itself,” said Ms Hall. She said the committee had another six hui to hold — most in the South Island — and would report to Mrs Hercus with recommendations in May.
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Press, 24 January 1986, Page 24
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335Lack of understanding ‘concerns’ Maoris Press, 24 January 1986, Page 24
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