Dr Michael Bassett: Maori, welfare and tikanga

If you are like me and constantly surprised by what constitutes tikanga, you might have noticed an article in the weekend papers about a Maori woman “with limited means”, separated from her late husband, who sought funeral costs from the taxpayer to cover the costs of his funeral. The Ministry of Social Development agreed to pay for the casket and expenses involved in getting it to the burial ground. However, it drew the line at paying another $1,026 towards food for the mourners.