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First official Māori descent families and households data released

30 Oct 2024

For the first time, Māori descent families and households data has been released as an official Census statistic.

For the first time, Māori descent families and households data has been released as an official Census statistic.   


These data are a part of a larger suite of statistics surfaced on Te Whata today, which also includes iwi affiliation data on families and households.   


Kirikowhai Mikaere, Lead Technician for the Data Iwi Leaders Group and Te Kāhui Raraunga says, these datasets unlock the ability for iwi Māori to plan for the future housing needs of their collective.   


“From today, iwi Māori have current, quality data on how people within their collective are living, including detail on household composition, income, and whether they have access to the things they need to live well, such as safe drinking water and electricity,” Ms Mikaere says.   


“From the data released today, we know that most whānau Māori are living in one-family households, and 86.9% of our whānau Māori had 2-4 family members in 2023.   


“These statistics are more than just numbers on a page – they provide meaningful insights into the housing requirements of our people and enable the development of fit for purpose housing for tomorrow and beyond.” 


Today’s release is the first families and households statistics to be published from the 2023 Census, landing one week before whole-of-population insights are scheduled for release by Stats NZ.   


Te Kāhui Raraunga Chair, Rahui Papa, says placing iwi Māori data in iwi Māori hands first, is an essential part of good data governance. 


“Māori data is a taonga tuku iho. It must be carefully nurtured for the benefit of iwi, hapū and whānau Māori,” says Mr Papa. 


“Putting iwi Māori data in iwi Māori hands first removes a barrier to us accessing our data, and also ensures there is a tirohanga Māori, a Māori lens, to the way any data insights are surfaced. 


“These data released today enable iwi Māori to plan for prosperity. Te ora o te whānau starts at home – right from our pēpi through to our kaumatua.” 


Today’s Census data – as well as that released earlier this year – is available on Te Whata, a by iwi, for iwi data platform developed by Te Kāhui Raraunga, the operational arm of the Data Iwi Leaders Group.  


Te Whata insights are produced through analysis of data by specialised Māori data analysts, ensuring these insights are presented in a way that is relevant and meaningful to iwi-Māori.  


In addition to new Māori descent and iwi affiliation insights on Te Whata, anyone can download Māori descent families and households data workbooks from the All Māori dashboard. 


Customised iwi data requests on families, extended families, and households data are also available to iwi and iwi-related groups through Stats NZ Te Ara Takatū


Man sitting on a brown chair, smiling at the camera.
Rahui Papa, Chair for the Data Iwi Leaders Group and Te Kāhui Raraunga.

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