The Māori Women’s Welfare League or Te Rōpū Wāhine Māori Toko I te Ora is a New Zealand welfare organisation focusing on Māori women and children. It held its first conference in Wellington in September 1951.
The league's official aims are "To promote fellowship and understanding between Māori and European women and to cooperate with other women's organisations, Departments of State, and local bodies for the furtherance of these objects."
History and accomplishments
The formation of the league was a milestone in Māori culture. Through the organisation, women were able to represent themselves in the New Zealand government for the first time. Formed in 1951 in Wellington, following the mass movement of Māori from rural to urban New Zealand, the league's original goal was to preserve Māori culture through their native arts and crafts while also promoting fellowship and cooperation among various women’s organizations. The league's formation was a direct result of the 1945 Māori Social and Economic Advancement Act. The mostly male members of the committee for social and economic advancement recognized the under-representation of women in government and created the Women's Welfare League to address this issue. Dame Whina Cooper was elected foundation president. Following its establishment, the league grew rapidly, with branches established throughout New Zealand. Within its first 14 years of existence, membership had risen to approximately 3,000 members in branches across the country.
The league became heavily involved in housing, health, and education, focusing on families and healthy lifestyles in addition to women's issues. When founded, the league had 187 branches; by 1956 it had 300 branches, 88 district councils and over 4000 members. As president, Dame Whina Cooper became the highest profile Māori woman in New Zealand. Cooper, however, was acting in consultation with the league's executive less and less, and in 1957 she was persuaded to step aside as president. The league's annual conference bestowed her the title "Te Whaea o te Motu" (Mother of the Nation) in 1958. In the early days of the organisation its priorities were poverty reduction and adequate public housing for the community. In the 1960s, the women's league developed an afterschool homework program and established Māori language schools. By the 1980s because of this type of action the organization was able to persuade the government into making te reo Māori part of the country's official languages.
Māori Women's Development Incorporated
In 1987 the league, under the leadership of Dame Georgina Kirby, established the Māori Women's Development Inc (MWDI), a specialist lender to encourage innovation and business among Māori. The fund lends to women and their whanau, and is run and governed by women.
Notable figures
Some of the people with the league include:
Patrons
Te Ariki Te Puea Herangi – founding patroness 1951–?? Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu – patroness ??–2006 Te Makau Ariki Atawhai Paki – patroness 2007–present
Presidents
Dame Whina Cooper, ONZ, DBE, JP, president 1951–1957 (founding president) Mīria Logan, MBE president 1957–1960 Maata Hirini, MBE ME foundation president 1960–1963 Ruiha Sage, JP president 1964–1968 Mīria Karauria, MBE president 1968–1971 Hine Potaka, OBE Dominion president 1971–1973 Dame Miraka Szaszy DBE, JP president 1973–1977 Dr Erihapeti Rehu-Murchie CNZM, QSO, JP, president 1977–1980 Violet Pou, CBE, president 1980–1983 Maraea Te Kawa. QSM, JP president 1983 Dame Georgina Kirby, DBE, QSO, JP president 1983–1987; MWDI trustee Dame June Mariu, DNZM, CNZM, QSM, JP, president 1987–1990; MWDI trustee Dame Aroha Reriti-Crofts, CBE, JP, president 1990–1993; MWDI trustee Dame Areta Koopu, CBE president 1993–1996; MWDI trustee Druis Barrett CNZM president 1996–1999; MWDI trustee Jacqui Te Kani CNZM president 1999–2002; later general manager for the Maori Women's Welfare League (died in office in 2012); MWDI Trustee Kitty Bennett MNZM president; MWDI trustee Linda Grennell president; MWDI trustee Meagan Joe 2008–2011 (died in office); MWDI trustee Kataraina O'Brien president 2011–2014 Prue Kapua president 2014–2022 Dr Hope Tupara president 2022–present
Life members
Te Paekiomeka Joy Ruha, ONZM, QSM. Life member and te reo Māori activist. Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi, DNZM, MBE. Life member and te reo Māori activist. Kahu Hurihia Durie, QSM. Life member. Phyllis Hilet. Life member. Anne Delamere, DCNZM, QSO. Life member.