Half of Maori raised on benefits

Nearly 100,000 Maori children were being raised on welfare at the end of March, figures released by Act show.

Social welfare spokeswoman Muriel Newman said 98,426 Maori children lived in households dependent on welfare, which she said painted a grim picture for the future of Maori.

"If ever there were a sign of Labour's failure in Government it is the fact that almost half of the 200,000 Maori children throughout New Zealand are being raised on welfare," she said.

Evidence showed children raised on benefits were more likely to be disadvantaged.

"I demand to know what Labour intends to do about this. New Zealanders, especially Maori, deserve answers - as does every Maori child who is taken into CYF (Child, Youth and Family) care, who is admitted to A&E, or who starts school unable to even recognise basic colours and shapes."

Dr Newman said the Maori caucus was elected to act for Maori and she wanted to know what action they were taking to fix the problems.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said he had other statistics Dr Newman might be interested in:

* Maori unemployment was 10 per cent compared with 14.5 per cent in 1999.

* Maori employment had increased by 32,500 jobs since Labour came to power.

* The number of Maori enrolled in tertiary training had risen 90 per cent in the last six years, from 32,835 to 62,574.

"Since Labour took office I suspect the number of Maori children overall, irrespective of whether they are being raised on welfare, has also increased," said Mr Horomia.

"We are a very, very young race, with a median age of 22. We have more 13-, 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds than older people - it is really important to understand that."

- NZPA