Unemployment Highest Among Maori and Pacific Job Seekers; Still Worst Hit By Recession

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No pretty picture here. Statistics NZ shows the unemployment rate has risen again for Maori and Pacific job seekers.  They represent the worst hit groups normally resident in New Zealand. The unemployment rate for Pacific has almost doubled from 7.8 percent unemployment (December 2008) to 14. percent, as at December 2009.

Unemployment among Maori has risen from 9.8 at 15.4 percent. This does not include the figures for European/Maori which is 13.6 percent. Asian unemployment stands at 9.2 percent. The unemployment rate for those who identify as European is 4.6 percent.

MP for Mana Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says the rate should shame the Government into action.“Just over three months ago unemployment rates among Pacific Islanders was 12.3 per cent and we were being promised by the Government it was working to get people back to work, “she says.

The Labour Opposition Spokesperson for Pacific Island Affairs says this latest increase shows their policies are not working. “In just one year, 5000 additional Pacific Island people have lost their jobs. Pacific Island people, who are overrepresented in lower paid jobs, were also bitterly disappointed at the miserly rise in minimum wage announced last month.”

Luamanuvao says many in the Pacific community are saying they are disappointed with a lack of action from the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Georgina Te Heuheu.

Te Heuheu, who is the second Maori woman to gain election to the National Party, is  widely criticised within the Pacific community  for her lack of action on Pacific issues.

Luamanuvao on Te Heuheu:

“She  is virtually invisible in the portfolio and offering no support or ideas. I am deeply saddened that the Government is failing so many families and that the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs has sat back and done nothing.”

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NZ Pacific Affairs Minister Georgina Te Heuheu(right), during a visit to Samoa with the Prime Minister John Key(next to her) and Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples (left), July 7, 2009 in Apia, Samoa.


Opposition Leader Phil Goff says unemployment in New Zealand is now at the highest level it has been in 16 years and is growing at the highest rate in a decade.

“168,000 Kiwis are now unemployed. The total number of jobless is more than 275,000,” says the Labour Leader.

“The Government’s stimulus package has produced just 2300 jobs. That is a lot less than the 3500 people who queued for hours last month for the chance to grab just 150 jobs at a new South Auckland supermarket.”

Goff, who is highly critical of Prime Minister John Key’s Job Summit for producing few results to help those who need it the most, says more and more people are struggling to make ends meet, with the young, the less well off, Maori and Pacific communities and other ethnic groups especially hard hit.

Source: Statistics NZ
Single/combination unemployment rate (unadjusted) by ethnic group
Ethnicity December 2008

quarter (percent)

December 2009

quarter (percent)

European only 3.2 4.6
Māori only 9.8 15.4
Pacific peoples only 7.8 14.0
Asian only 6.3 9.2
MELAA only 10.7 17.1
‘Other ethnicity’ only 4.1 3.3
European/Māori 7.0 13.6
Two or more groups not elsewhere included 6.5 14.1
Note: MELAA = Middle Eastern/Latin American/African

World-Famous, Royalty & Celebs Line Up for Maori Hongi From Tiger Woods, Tua, Elle, Tom Cruise to Prince William

After supermodel Tyra Banks visited New Zealand, and received a traditional Maori hongi, we went in search of other celebs and world-famous people, as well as homegrown varieties, who have also received a hongi in front of the media’s lenses.

Here’s what we found from the past and the present:

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In happier days? NEW ZEALAND, 8th January 2002: Golfing sensation Tiger Woods hongis (traditional Maori greeting) with Kuia Mereiwa Broughton during an official Maori welcome (Powhiri) at Wellington airport, after Woods flew into New Zealand to play in the Telstra Hyundai New Zealand Open Golf Tournament at the Paraparaumu Beach Golf club. (Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images).

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(same event) Tiger Woods rubs noses  with Glenys Turu  as he arrives at Wellington airport for the New Zealand Open Golf tournament. (Photo by The Dominion/Getty Images)

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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 29, 2007: David Beckham of the LA Galaxy receives a Hongi (Maori Greeting) from a member of a Maori welcoming Kapa Haka group as he arrives at Wellington airport  in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images).

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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 29, 2007: An interesting photo this one. David Beckham of the LA Galaxy gives Mayor of Wellington Kerry Predergast a Hongi (Maori greeting) as he arrives at Wellington Airport in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images)

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 16, 2000: World heavyweight boxing contender David Tua is welcomed home with a Hongi by Kylie Kemp from Clover Park Middle School in Otara, on his arrival at Auckland International Airport, Thursday night. (Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)

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HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – SEPTEMBER 03, 2009: Sugar Ray Leonard exchanges a Hongi, the traditional Maori greeting, with John Haunui after being welcomed to SKYCITY on September 3, 2009 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Sandra Mu/Getty Images).

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Sugar Ray Leonard exchanges a Hongi, the traditional Maori greeting, with Pahu Muru of Turangawaiwai.

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APRIL 15, 2004: World rally champion Petter Solberg (Norway) Hongis (traditional Maori greeting) with a warrior, Wednesday 15, at the ceremonial start to the Propecia 2004 Rally Of New Zealand, at the Manukau City Super Special Stage. The event is a round of the World Rally championship. (Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images).


We Can Only Imagine What These Warriors Are Thinking

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – SEPTEMBER 29,: Austalian super model Elle MacPherson Hongi’s (traditional Maori welcome) with Lincoln Savage from the Te Mataarae o Rehua Maori culture group from Rotorua upon her arrival at Auckland International Airport.MacPherson is in New Zealand for several days on a promotional visit. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images).

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Mission Impossible?

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NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 11, 2003: Hollywood super star Tom Cruise performs a hongi (traditional Maori welcome) with Wahine (Maori woman) Alice Pomare, during a Powhiri prior to a press conference for the ‘Last Samurai’ movie. Cruise flew into New Zealand last Monday and will begin filming on location in various parts of the Taranaki province in the North Island of New Zealand.FOTROPRESS. (Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JUNE 17: The Dalai Lama (R) is welcomed with a Hongi (a Maori greeting with a press of the nose) by Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard at the Vector Arena on June 17, 2007 in Auckland, New Zealand. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, spiritual leader to millions of Buddhists around the world, is in New Zealand on a three day visit to give public talks and public teachings. (Photo by Sandra Mu/Getty Images).

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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – MAY 27, 2002: The Dalai Lama at the Pipitea Marae in Wellington Hongi’s (Traditional Maori Welcome by touching of noses) Symon Knuckey of the Te Roopu Kapahaka O Waitaira as friends look on. The Dalai Lama arrived in Wellington, today, Monday and is on a brief tour of New Zealand. (Photo by Robert Patterson/Getty Images).

Like Mother, Like Son Beautiful

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NEW ZEALAND – JULY 05, 2005: His Royal Highness Prince William is greeted by Auckland District Health Board member John Retimama with a Hongi (pressing of noses) on the Princes’ official visit to Auckland Starship children’s hospital, Tuesday. (Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images).

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Princess Diana (1961 – 1997) receives a traditional Maori nose-rubbing greeting, or Hongi, during a visit to the Te Poho-o-Rawiri Marae in Gisborne, New Zealand, 24th April 1983. The princess is wearing a blue silk suit by Catherine Walker. (Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images).

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NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 07, 2005: His Royal Highness Prince Charles hongis (traditional maori welcome) with Lieutenant Tamahou Ripia on the Royal New Zealand Navy on his arrival at Government House, Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, March 07, 2005. Prince Charles is making a five day visit to New Zealand. (Photo by Ross Setford/Getty Images)

Royalty Every Which Way

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ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 17, 2007: Prince Andrew, Duke of York (R) hongis with Sir Howard Morrison (L) as he attends a ceremony to honour the gallantry of Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi, at Te Papiouru Marae, Ohinemutu on the third day of his seven day visit to New Zealand, on March 17, 2007 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Manahi was not awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions at Takrouna Ridge in North Africa in 1943 during World War II, despite recommendations that his gallantry warranted the highest award for valour. This year, the government, working with Te Arawa, the Manahi VC Committee, and Buckingham Palace, announced that it would hold a special ceremony to recognise Lance Sergeant Manahi?s deeds, and The Queen expressed her admiration for his bravery The presence of the Duke at the ceremony reflects her wish to be personally associated with the initiatives to recognise his gallantry. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 16, 2007: Prince Andrew, Duke of York receives a Hongi (Maori greeting) from WO 1st class George Purvis during a visit to the Trentham Military Camp on the second day of his seven day visit to New Zealand, on March 16, 2007 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images).

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ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 17, 2007: Prince Andrew, Duke of York (R) hongis with a local Kaumatua as he attends a ceremony to honour the gallantry of Lance Sergeant Haane Manahi, at Te Papiouru Marae, Ohinemutu on the third day of his seven day visit to New Zealand, on March 17, 2007 in Rotorua, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images).

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PALMERSTON NORTH, NEW ZEALAND – SEPTEMBER 29, 2005: Prince Andrew, Duke of York (R), gets a Maori greeting (Hongi) from the Minister of Defence Hon. Mark Burton during a Powhiri (welcome) and reviewing the parade at Linton Army base September 29, 2005 in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The Duke of York is in Palmerston North as part of a 5 day visit to New Zealand. (Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images)

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Prince Andrew, Duke of York, gets a Maori greeting (Hongi) from Major General Jerry Mateparae of the armed forces during a Powhiri (welcome) and reviewing of the parade at Linton Army base September 29, 2005 in Palmerston North, New Zealand. (Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images)

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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 04, 2009: HRH, The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward is given a Hongi (Maori greeting) by Tawai Frost during a welcome at Sacred Heart College on November 4, 2009 Wellington, New Zealand. HRH, The Earl of Wessex Prince Edward is in New Zealand to discuss the future direction of The Duke of Edinburgh Award program. (Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images).

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CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 17, 2008: HRH Princess Anne, Princess Royal receives a Hongi (Maori Greeting) from Sgt. Isaac Davis during a visit to the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals and Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps at Burnham Military Camp  in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)

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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – DECEMBER 03, 2009: (L-R) His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, Samoa’s recently appointed Head of State receives a Hongi (Maori greeting) from Rangitihi Tahuparae during a Maori welcome ceremony at Government House on December 3, 2008 in Wellington, New Zealand. Tuiatua, who became Samoan Head of State in June, is on a week long visit to New Zealand. (Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images).

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Her Highness Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese receives a Hongi (Maori Greeting) from Sergeant Aaron Taikato during a Maori welcome ceremony at Government House on December 3, 2008 in Wellington, New Zealand. Tamasese’s husband His Highness Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, who became Samoan Head of State in June, is on a week long visit to New Zealand. (Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images)

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WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – JUNE 23, 2009: HRH King Juan Carlos of Spain (L) shares a traditional Maori greeting of a hongi with Maori elder Gerrard Albert (R) during a visit to New Zealand on June 23, 2009 in Wellington, New Zealand.

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HRH Queen Sofia of Spain (L) shares a traditional Maori greeting of a hongi with Maori elder Rose Tahuparae (R) during a visit to New Zealand on June 23, 2009 in Wellington, New Zealand. The Royal couple are undertaking two days of official engagements in New Zealand before heading to Australia on Wednesday. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images).

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HRH Queen Sofia of Spain (L) shares a traditional Maori greeting of a hongi with Maori elder Gerrard Albert (R).

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HRH King Juan Carlos (R) shares a traditional Maori greeting of a hongi with Kukupa Tirikatene (L) at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa during a visit to New Zealand on June 23, 2009 in Wellington, New Zealand.

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 23, 2002: HRH Princess Mathilde Hongi’s (Traditional Maori welcome by touching of noses) with a member of the Maori welcome party during the welcoming ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel, Saturday. Prince Philippe, Crown Prince of Belgium and Princess Mathilde are on a four day visit to New Zealand. (Photo by Dean Purcell/Getty Images).

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HRH Prince Philippe, Crown Prince of Belgium Hongi’s (Traditional Maori welcome by touching of noses) with Sir Hugh Kawharu during the welcoming ceremony.

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HRH Prince Philippe, Crown Prince of Belgium Hongi’s (Traditional Maori welcome by touching of noses) with Maori welcome party member Te Arana Wihongi during the welcoming ceremony.

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We know Clinton isn’t royalty. But what the heck. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – SEPTEMBER 11, 1999: The President of the United States, Bill Clinton hongi’s with Georgina Te Heuheu after his arrival in New Zealand for the APEC conference, Saturday. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images).

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OFFICIALLY Pavarotti may not be royalty but his voice certainly was and is. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 17, 1999: Luciano Pavarotti and preformer Ricky Northcroft hongi during a welcoming celemony for Pavarotti at the Sheraton Hotel, Wednesday. (Photo by Sav Schulman/Getty Images)

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