Georgina te Heuheu MP
National Party Maori Affairs (Culture & Development) Spokeswoman

9 March 2007

Labour fails Maori

"While it is pleasing to see some improvements for Maori in New Zealand, serious disparities continue to exist and there is no time for complacency, says Maori Affairs (Culture and Development) spokeswoman, Georgina te Heuheu.

She is commenting in light of the Tuituia report on race relations released today by the Human Rights Commission.

"Despite Labour's rhetoric about how much they have done for Maori, there is still a long way to go if Maori are to fully realise their potential.

"The Human Rights Commission notes that 'while there have been some gains in reducing inequalities between Maori and Pacific people and other New Zealanders, unacceptable gaps remain'.

"If that wasn't enough to raise serious concerns, the report goes on to note numerous alarming examples where the Government has failed Maori. For example:

* Nearly 40% of Maori aged over 15 have no formal qualifications compared to 25% of the general population. * Maori are almost 10 times more likely to consider they experience discrimination in multiple settings. * On average, Maori have the poorest health status of any ethnic group in New Zealand. * Maori are five-and-a-half times more likely to be hospitalised for heart failure than non-Maori. * Maori cancer mortality rates are twice that of non-Maori. * Maori are far more likely to be living in crowded households, experience poor health and a negative impact on their children's education. * Home ownership rates for Maori are considerably lower than for the general population. * The number of Maori as a percentage of the total unemployed in the year to June 2006 (22%) was still out of proportion to their representation in the labour force.

"And it is not just the health of our people and communities that causes concern, but also the health of our language. The report states that the percentage of Maori who speak Te Reo has fallen from 25.2% in 2001 to 23.7% in 2006.

"Maori have great potential, but much more needs to be done to help them realise that potential."

ENDS

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