Maori Labour Market Information
This section contains information and useful links that are designed to assist anyone with an interest in Māori social and economic issues to gain a better understanding about labour market trends among Māori. It contains key information about their people, their skills and past and current employment trends and opportunities. There are both statistical and report-based information, as well as links to the Department’s interactive labour market “tools”.
Why Labour Market Knowledge Matters To Māori
There are many reasons Māori require in-depth information about what is occurring in the economy and labour market.
- Māori make up a relatively young and fast-growing share of the New Zealand working age population
- As they acquire and develop a growing portfolio of assets and investments and move away from traditional employment areas (such as forestry and fishing) Māori have a growing need for better information about their own labour market.
- While strong gains in the labour market have been made in the past few years, many challenges remain before Māori can realise their full potential. (Unemployment rates are above average for instance).
- Treaty settlements and education reforms have provided Māori with an opportunity to become more active partners in making investment and planning decisions for their future workforce. Being able to “pull their own levers” means they will require more knowledge.
- In particular, skill sets of Māori need to be better aligned to the new and growing areas of economic opportunity (directly or indirectly influenced by Māori) that are opening up.
