People and culture today
Numbers
In 2001 Māori comprised approximately 15% (526,281 people) of New Zealand’s population. This figure is forecast to reach 16.6% (750,000) in 2021.
Location
In 2004 the Māori people were more diverse and dispersed than at any other time in their history. Some continued to live in their traditional tribal areas. Most, however, lived elsewhere, usually in urban centres. In 2001, 64% of Māori were living in the main urban areas, and only 16% in rural areas. Many also lived in other countries, with over 70,000 in Australia and up to 10,000 in Britain.
Language
The Māori language is an official language of New Zealand, and in recent years has undergone a revival. However, it is still threatened and, according to the 2001 census results, was spoken by only one in four Māori. Approximately 30,000 non-Māori could speak the language.
Culture
Māori culture is going through enormous change, with the establishment of new institutions and organisations. These include:
- the creation of institutions where teaching and learning is conducted substantially in the Māori language. In 2001 there were over 500 kōhanga reo (language nests), teaching over 10,000 preschool children; over 50 kura kaupapa Māori (teaching schoolchildren in full Māori-language immersion programmes); and three whare wānanga (tertiary institutes).
- the rearrangement and strengthening of tribal structures and councils
- the recapitalisation of tribally owned assets
- the establishment of over 20 Māori radio stations and a television channel
- political representation, with 16 MPs of Māori background in Parliament in 2004.
Prominent people
In the early 2000s a number of Māori individuals were regarded as major national figures or had international reputations in their chosen fields. Among them were the opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, film director Lee Tamahori, child actor Keisha Castle-Hughes, golfer Michael Campbell, artist Ralph Hotere, and writers Patricia Grace and Witi Ihimaera.
