Islanders in N.Z. up 40 p.c. in five years

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 43

Islanders in N.Z. up 40 p.c. in five years

PA Wellington The number of Pacific islanders living in New Zealand increased 40.3 per cent between 1981 and 1986, final statistics of the 1986 census reveal.

The census of population and dwellings showed an increase of 27,960 Polynesian Pacific Islanders resident in the country, the Statistics Department said.

It also showed that the number of women em-

ployed full-time grew 21.6 per cent, while male fulltime workers increased 4.7 per cent. The total labour force was 11.1 per cent higher during the census period. The number of people working 50 hours or more increased 23.9 per cent and now make up 20.6 of the employed population. The number of unemployed people was 44.8 per cent higher than the

number reported in the 1981 census. The department said high levels of youth unemployment were reported, particularly among Maoris and Pacific Islanders aged between 15 and 19. The numbers of Maori unemployed youths increased 29.4 per cent, and Pacific Islanders by 27.9 per cent, while unemployment among youths of .Other ethnic groups, ini

eluding Europeans, increased 17.4 per cent. The manufacturing industry’s share of gainfully employed people fell from 23 per cent to 21.3 per cent in the census period, and closely related occupation groups including production workers, transport, equipment operators and labourers also declined from 33.6 per cent to 30.9 per cent.