Business Documents

• Strategic Plan 2008
  (PDF - 193kb)

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History

Our Kaupapa began as early as the 1840s, during the reign of Kiingi Tawhiao. Maori were put in place to protect the well being of Maori, and to keep the peace at gatherings at marae where Maori leaders were discussing the well being of Maori and protecting their land interests.

Whilst the modern Maori Warden (MW) evolved in the mid 1850’s they did not appear in Statute until the Maori Social and Economic Act 1946 with further advances in the Maori Welfare Act 1962, forerunner to the Maori Community Development Act which is current statute today.

Maori Wardens were first appointed and appeared in the N Z Gazette in 1946. From that date through to 1969 Maori Wardens were under the control of Tribal Committees and then Maori Committees. From 1969 Maori Wardens  were placed under control of their Maori District Councils (MDC).

During the 1960’s it became apparent that Maori Wardens were not being catered for in terms of support or funding. Three leaders of that time, the Late Peter Awatere, the late Horatu Rogers and the late George Whakarau traveled the Motu talking to Maori Wardens culminating in the first National conference for Maori Wardens being held in Rotorua in 1967.

Conferences were held annually thru to 1975, in Whanganui, Christchurch, Kawakawa, Hastings, Gisborne, Bulls, Wellington, Auckland, with two delegates elected from each district.

There were 1120 Maori Wardens in 1971, however due to statute changes in June 1974 the cancellation of all Maori Wardens warrants being replaced by three yearly re-appointments, and, the Maori District Council’s inability to manage Maori Wardens these numbers declined to only 321 Gazeetted and warranted Maori Wardens in October 1979. A loss of 800 wardens over 8 years.

The Late Hon Ben Couch, Minister for Maori Affairs, in 1978 instructed the NZ Maori Council to re-vitalise Maori Wardens to their earlier strength. This culminated in a Conference at Turangawaewae Marae in November 1979 where a vote to form the NZ Maori Wardens Association Inc (NZMWA). The rules were registered with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies on 17th February 1980. At the same time Minister Couch delivered $50000.00 to the NZMWA to assist with the development of the Association.

From 321 Maori Wardens  in October 1979 the numbers grew to more than 1400 by November 1985. District Branches grew from 9 to 14. Sub branches grew from nil to 40.

Co-ordinators were appointed to each District branch to assist with communication and the development of Sub Associations.

A Trust Nga Roopu Watene Trust was established and carried out 5 work training programmes from 1986 to 1991.

Truancy programmes were successfully undertaken in 5 Districts in the early 1990’s

In 1994 conference voted to end the delegate system of elected representation to the National body (30 delegates, 4 elected officers ) and replaced this with five elected Councilors, with a Manager.

Funding of $100,000.00 per annum for Youth at Risk activities has been administered by the NZMWA to MW since 1999.

Since 1979 there have been 30 annual Conferences held from Ti Tii in Taitokerau to Murihiku in Southland and in every district in between.

Today, the NZMWA is in the process of strengthening the branches and seeking to alleviate obstacles that impede the Maori Wardens ability to efficiently carry out their role of Manaakitanga.