Maori 8 times more likely to be teenage parents on welfare

Media Release

MAORI 8 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE TEENAGE PARENTS ON WELFARE

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Maori make up 19 percent of the 16-19 year-old population but 54 percent of 16-19 year-old parents on welfare.

According the Lindsay Mitchell, welfare commentator, "The rate of teenage parents on a benefit is 10 per 1,000 for non-Maori compared to 85 per 1,000 for Maori."

"This significant disparity will ensure Maori children continue to be disproportionately represented in the many negative social statistics that culminate in over-representation in courts and prisons."

"Because children of teenage parents are recognised as 'high-risk' the Ministry of Social Development is putting some resources into working with those in the most disadvantaged regions. But nothing is being done to stop the inflow of teenage parents onto benefits in the first place. Existing policy is allowing another generation of vulnerable children to develop into tomorrow's offenders."

The numbers at December 2006;

16-19 year-old parents and caregivers in receipt of a main benefit;

Maori 2,062
NZ European 1,110
Pacific Island 288
Other 131
Unspecified 194

Female 3,648
Male 137