PhD Thesis - ResearchSpace@Auckland - The University of Auckland

to their attention, and the establishment of the Waitangi Tribunal in 1975 to address
Maori land grievances, created the climate for a ‘Maori renaissance’ from the late
1970s onwards. 100 Certainly the rising visibility of Maori culture, and the interest
taken in it by Pakeha, led to a greater awareness of Maori themselves and their
associated problems. Within the Health Department in the 1980s there were
increasing levels of consultation taking place between Maori leaders and health
providers to determine how best to provide for Maori health and well-being in ways
designed to meet the needs of the community. 101
Concern was aired over the results of a survey on child health carried out mainly in
the Auckland region in the mid-1970s which uncovered ‘a high incidence of skin
infestation, obesity, and ear problems in certain schools’. 102 This led to the
establishment of the Child Health Committee under the jurisdiction of the Board of
Health in 1977. The Committee had the power to recommend measures that would
make more efficient use of resources and improve services. 103 One of its most
important acts was to produce a report on child health and the provision of child
health services released in 1982 that made 195 recommendations. 104 The
implementation of these recommendations was ultimately the responsibility of the
Cabinet Committee on Family and Social Affairs, and child health became a
designated priority for 1984 to 1985. 105
One aspect of the report focused on child immunisation and reported that levels of
immunisation had risen since 1977, although not as high, particularly for measles, as
they should have been. 106 Recommendations reflected this concern, highlighting the
need for health professionals to encourage immunisation and noting that the improved
reporting of immunisation statistics was necessary. 107 Other reports on child health,
including immunisation, followed in the late 1980s. A study by the South Auckland
100 ibid., p.487.
101 See, for example, AJHR, 1985, E-10, p.5. The health initiatives were broad spectrum and as such
are out of the scope of this thesis.
102 AJHR, 1978, E-10, p.44.
103 ibid.
104 AJHR, 1984, E-10, p.20. 151 of these recommendations involved the Health Department. See also
Child Health and Services in New Zealand. The Report of the Committee on Child Health. Report
Series, No. 31, Board of Health, Wellington, 1982, p.207.
105 AJHR, 1984, E-10, p.20.
106 Child Health and Services in New Zealand, p.201.
107 ibid, p.200.
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