Yet their reliance on benefits is low compared to Maori.
At September 2013, there were 9,546 Pacific people on a Jobseeker Benefit compared to 42,277 Maori. As a percentage of all people on JS that equates to 7.5 and 33 percent. The Pacific share is roughly equal to their overall percentage of the population. The Maori share is more than double their overall percentage of the population.
Looking at sole parents the pattern is repeated with 10 percent of those receiving Sole Parent Support being Pacific and 46 percent, Maori.
The final benefit, Supported Living Payment, shows a similar ratio though the numbers are lower at 6 and 24 percent.
So why the difference?
Is it simply that Pacific families and communities are stronger and more supportive? Is it a matter of eligibility for benefits? Is there a shame attached to being on a benefit?
My knowledge of Pacific people and their culture isn't sufficient to provide the answer but I favour the first reason.
Given their self-reliance though I wonder why they vote Labour? Perhaps they don't, or won't in the future.
Here's a quote from 2011:
Mr Laulu [senior Labour Party office holder] said he did not believe Labour could continue to rely on Pacific people to vote Labour "because I'm union or my parents and family have always voted Labour".
3 comments:
Given their self-reliance though I wonder why they vote Labour? Perhaps they don't, or won't in the future.
Every day Len Brown stays in office is a day when the appeal of a Christian party - or a Pacific party - increases! And National are playing this very well: if Cameron Brewer wanted Red Len gone, he'd have written to the Local Gvt minister asking for a commissioner (even with a minority of the council) and if Key wanted Red Len gone he could have sent one in anyway.
Pacific peoples are still overwhelmingly relying on state schools and hospitals, of course, and don't live long enough to get the bit Palangi benefit: National(™) Super.
Numbers of Maori should always be read with a high degree of suspicion. There is a prevailing belief amongst non-Maori that Maori get more benefits so there is added incentive to identify as Maori when claiming a benefit.
It's not like there is any cross check done, just self reporting.
The only way to get a clear picture of the real demographics is to state clearly on the form that collects ethnic data that Maori are treated no differently under the Social Securities Act than any other race.
"There is a prevailing belief amongst non-Maori that Maori get more benefits so there is added incentive to identify as Maori when claiming a benefit."
S Beast, Do you mean that Maori get a better deal from WINZ?
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