Maori & Inequality

Maori bear the greatest burden of the impact of inequality

Child mortality and infectious disease, mental health and addictions, life expectancy, education and imprisonment - in all these areas Maori bear an unfair burden.

Maori children are 23 times more likely than European children to suffer rheumatic fever

Maori have 50% higher rate of mental illness than non-Maori

Maori life expectancy is 8 years lower than European life expectancy

One on four Maori males have spent some time in prison

One in four Maori young people are unemployed

Maori students make up disproportionate share of the children left behind by our education system

The history of Maori and Pakeha relations in Aotearoa New Zealand is one where Pakeha laws and governance have excluded Maori from their land and culture and also afforded only marginal opportunity for Maori to participate in the economy or governance. Recent years have seen some progress in developing self-determining Maori communities and services, but the current picture is still largely defined by this damaging history of inequality and exclusion.

Reducing inequality will undoubtedly benefit Maori greatly and there are many Maori and non-Maori organisations committed to reducing the unequal access to health, education and social services and economic resources. The Maori population is on average younger and growing faster than non-Maori, which means that younger Maori are the future face of our country. Choosing to invest in economic, health, social and education policies that help bring us closer together will be good for us all.

Learn more:

Maori Health Chart Book 2010 Ministry of Health

Trends in Wellbeing for Maori Households/Families 1981 - 2006, Massey University

Talk about poverty: Reporting back and moving forward, Poverty Action Waikato - Te Whakatika Mahi Pohara i Waikato