simple oversight; it weakens the book's analysis of fundamental social policy concerns about rights versus needs.
The authors observe that references to the Treaty or other Māori rights are missing from social legislation. Yet they mention, but do not examine, several instances where references are included, such as the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989 which makes provision for the establishment of iwi social services, and the State Sector Act 1988. However, they ignore other important references, such as the Resource Management Act 1991 which includes some of the strongest clauses expressing the State's Treaty responsibilities. There is also reference in the Health and Disability Services Act 1993 to the Crown's objectives in relation to the "special needs of Māori".
While policy analysis must consider the role of legislation in influencing policy development, its role can be overstated. Of equal or perhaps more significance are government policy statements such as the Coalition Agreement, and departmental policy documents, purchase agreements, and "key result areas" (departments' specific responses to the Government's strategic result areas). The authors do not consider the role and implications of these policy statements, which vary in the attention they give to improving Māori outcomes as part of their strategic directions.
While the book could further examine the relationship between the Treaty and social policy, there could also be more clarity in the discussion of the role of a state agency charged with Māori affairs policy. For example, it is stated that the Department of Māori Affairs catered widely for Māori need (p.157). The Department provided programmes and grants in housing, vocational training, land development, business development and Te Kohanga Reo. However, these interventions were relatively limited. They mirrored and were generally subject to the same criteria as mainstream provision. Furthermore, the vast majority of health and education services for Māori have always been "mainstreamed", that is, the responsibility of other departments of the state. Historically, there have been problems of service delivery by state agencies, whether mainstream or Māori, and barriers to iwi or Māori development of services. While the Māori community vigorously challenged mainstreaming, there was strong support for devolving decision making and delivery to iwi structures.
The authors comment that, through the mainstreaming process, Te Puni Kōkiri's role has become limited to policy advice, with the implication that this is a diminished and less influential role (p.157). This is a puzzling interpretation, when the introduction points out the significant political, academic and public attention given to policy matters. The development of Te Puni Kōkiri is consistent with the separation of policy from operations across the public sector. Before the late 1980s, a Māori or treaty advisory role within the State was negligible. Now, as well as Te Puni Kōkiri, there are several Māori units in major departments. This manifestation of agency responsiveness is a development that could have been examined. Also overlooked are mechanisms to monitor responsiveness, in particular, Te Puni Kōkiri's statutory role of monitoring the adequacy of mainstream delivery of services to Māori.
While this text is uneven and selective in its coverage, there is a real need for such a contribution. The text provides a broad general overview, a survey of the issues and preoccupations of the arena of social policy, some useful insights, and a spur to alternative interpretations. Congratulations to the authors for accepting the