Culture and environment high on Maori wishlist

Photo: Radio Waatea Image Database.

Māori women play a key role in caring for their whānau and the environment, and make a significant contribution to society, according to an analysis of data collected in the Te Kupenga 2018 survey of Māori wellbeing.

Dr Claire Bretherton, the wellbeing and housing statistics manager for Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa, says upholding cultural practices within whānau and the wider community is often driven by wāhine Māori.

Nine out of 10 Māori adults said it was at least a little important for them to be involved in things to do with Māori culture, and 86 per cent of Māori adults said they knew their iwi.

All but 3 per cent of Māori adults had been to a marae at some stage in their lives, and over half had done so in the previous year.

Seven out of 10 Māori adults aged 15 years and over said the health of the natural environment was very important.

96 per cent of Māori adults said their households recycled packagings, such as cans, bottles, and plastic. This was the most common household environmental practice.

Nearly a third of Māori adults said they took part in activities, such as restoring waterways, tree planting, pest control, or beach clean-up in the previous 12 months. This rose to 46 per cent for those living in rural areas.

The survey also found 73 per cent of Maori adults said their use of te reo Māori in daily life was of some importance, and 57 per cent said they could understand the language.

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