Maoris remain disadvantaged —U.S. report

Press, 24 February 1987, Page 33

Maoris remain disadvantaged —U.S. report

By TOM BRIDGMAN NZPA staff correspondent Washington ' New Zealand’s Maori population remains marginally educated and economically disadvantaged, says the State Department in its annual report on human rights practices throughout the world.

While saying that in 1986 New Zealand “continued its excellent record in the human rights field,” the report notes the social and racial tensions arising in New Zealand.

“Despite the historical absence of overt discrimination, the Maori population, which is largely young and urbanised (90 per cent now living in cities) remains marginally educated and economically disadvantaged," it said. “Notwithstanding the noteworthy success of some Maoris and extensive intermarriage with pakehas, the presses of transferring from a rural, traditional society to an urban Western environment are. evident in various social indicators. ,

“Concurrently, there has been a rise in Maori activism as well as development of some ethnic radicalism.”

The State Department report, which is submitted to the House and Senate Foreign Affairs Committees, said there was growing sensitivity in New Zealand to the status of women.

It noted that the Labour Government in 1985 established a Ministry of Women’s Affairs and also ratified a United Nations convention for the elimination of discrimination against women. “The largest category of complaints concerns discrimination against women in employment,” the report said.