New data shows that Māori unemployment continues to outpace national averages-undermined by structural barriers and recent economic slowdown-despite steady headlines on job figures.
- The national unemployment rate has climbed to 5.1%, nearing levels not seen since post-COVID recovery
- Among Māori, the figure remains nearly double at 9.2–10.5%, depending on the dataset-well above both national and regional averages .
- In Auckland, Māori unemployment is a staggering 10.3%, compared to 3.9% for Europeans.
- Youth unemployment hits its hardest: 19.1% for Māori aged 15–24, compared to much lower rates among older groups
These figures reaffirm a persistent gap: Māori unemployment remains 1.5–2 times higher than the general population Systemic inequities in education, training access, and hiring practices continue to disadvantage Māori workers
- Māori disproportionately occupy sectors vulnerable to economic cycles-like tourism, hospitality, and forestry-leading to sharper job losses during downturns
- The labour force participation rate for Māori is among the lowest across ethnic groups, falling to 67.5% in Auckland, signaling discouraged workers withdrawing from job search
- John Bishara, Chair of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, described the government’s “equal treatment” approach as insufficient:
“Our people need real solutions… broad generalisation overlooks those who most need assistance.”
He pointed to historic peaks-25% in the 1990s-and the need for focused strategies beyond universal economic fixes.
- Labour MP Willie Jackson described the situation as “shameful,” linking it to cuts in public services and infrastructure that disproportionately hit Māori and Pacific communities.
- CTU economist Craig Renney warned Māori unemployment is nearly double the national rate-9.2% compared to 5.1%-emphasizing the urgency of targeted interventions.
