This is a chart just released from the OECD social/family database. Why they couldn't get a more up-to-date figure for New Zealand I don't know. In 2005 the percentage was 7 and in 2007, 7.6 percent.
There is a general consensus that reducing teenage births is desirable because teenage mothers tend to be disadvantaged and that is transmitted to their children. It contributes significantly to child poverty (and haven't we heard a lot about that recently) yet there are some people eg Tariana Turia who refuse to accept this reality. Which is unfortunate given Maori teenage child birth accounts for just over half of the total.
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