Māori unemployment soars under National

New figures show Māori unemployment has soared to more than double that of the overall rate since National took office, Labour’s Māori Affairs spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says.

“According to the latest Household Labour Force Survey, Māori unemployment has grown from 8.6 per cent to 13.2 per cent since 2008. That is more than twice the national unemployment rate of 6 per cent.

“Meanwhile, Maori youth unemployment remains far too high; 21.9 per cent of Māori youth are not in employment, education or training.

“The National Government has failed to deliver opportunities in our regions to get Māori into jobs.

“The Government’s hands-off approach to the regions has resulted in the closure of factories around the country, factories that once employed Māori both young and old.

“Young Maori who are disengaged are more likely to move onto a benefit which reduces their likelihood of leading a productive life.

“While the Government is busy heralding its ‘rock star economy’, Māori across the country are struggling to find work and provide the basics for their whanau.

“Only a Labour government will breathe life back into the provinces by working with communities and local manufacturers, and creating sustainable jobs in sectors such as forestry.

“A Labour government will ensure Māori get their fair share of the economic recovery,” Nanaia Mahuta says.

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