How Māori precariate families navigate social services

Abstract

We are living in a period in which the increasingly precarious nature of employment and welfare support systems has dramatically amplified the hardships faced by many people.¹ Correspondingly, much still needs to be written about the rise of the precariat. ² International literature asserts that post World War II paid employment was commonly full-time and secure up until the 1970s, when the rise of more insecure work increased as neoliberal policies and globalisation began dominating public deliberations regarding work and social life. ³ Subsequent recessions across many OECD countries contributed to labour market transformations back towards increased 'flexibility' and- the casualisation of employment. These labour market shifts have resulted in insecure work and income situations for many households, which for some means frequent cycles of paid employment and welfare dependency. People experiencing such insecure employment face insecure and unliveable incomes while grappling with inadequate state support - these are the people increasingly known as 'the precariat'.