The Maori and New Zealand
New Zealand has seen a drop in Maori unemployment from 16.6 per cent in 1999 to 7.7 per cent in 2007. However, the national average for all New Zealanders stands at 3.4 per cent.
Such economic disparity from New Zealand’s largest minority group has prompted Maori Affairs spokesman Pita Paraone to call on lawmakers to do more in order to improve the Maori lot.
“The figures are unacceptably high when compared with the national average of just 3.4 per cent. That means Maori are two and a half times more likely to be unemployed than the national average,” said Mr. Paraone.
Indeed, the average age of Maori in New Zealand is 22 years, with a substantial increase in Maori aged 15 to 64, therefore lower unemployment rates were expected but there has been only moderate improvement.
“New Zealand First has always believed that education is the key to upward mobility and we have fought endlessly to see that this ethic is embedded in every New Zealander regardless of race and background. In 2006, 2 out of 5 Maori aged 15 years and over left school with no formal qualifications and we would like to see a dramatic improvement in that figure,” said Mr. Paraone.
Tags: maori, new zealand, pita paraone, racism
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February 21, 2008 at 9:31 pm
What is up with Jaime?