Who are New Zealand's Pacific peoples?
Pacific peoples are the New Zealanders who identify with or feel they belong to one or more Pacific ethnicities. The seven largest ethnicities among Pacific peoples are Cook Island Maori, Fijian, Niuean, Samoan, Tokelauan, Tongan and Tuvaluan peoples.
In New Zealand, ethnicity is self-defined and people can and do belong to more than one ethnic group. Pacific peoples is one of the five top level categories currently used in New Zealand to identify ethnicity (European, Māori, Pacific peoples, Asian and Other).
What are Pacific peoples population statistics used for?
Statistics about the Pacific population are used to count, estimate and project the Pacific peoples ethnic group and the dwellings, locations and environments that Pacific people live in.
They are also used to describe the characteristics of the Pacific population (eg age, sex, educational qualifications), and to compare the Pacific ethnic group with the total New Zealand population, and with other ethnic groups.
Resources
National Pacific population projections
Information on the current and future Pacific population in New Zealand. Published by Statistics New Zealand.
Subnational Pacific population projections
Information on the current and future distribution of the Pacific population within New Zealand. Published by Statistics New Zealand.
Pasifika Project
Recent research on Pacific populations in New Zealand
Census information
Information on the Pacific population in the Census of Population and Dwellings has been published for recent censuses. The publications may be consulted at the offices of Statistics New Zealand or at major public and university libraries. Information from the 1996 and 2001 Censuses is available electronically.
2006 Pacific Profiles
Profiles provide detailed information for the each of the seven largest Pacific ethnic groups in New Zealand: Samoans, who make up the largest proportion (49 percent); Cook Island Maori (22 percent); Tongans (19 percent); Niueans (8 percent); Fijians (4 percent); Tokelauans (3 percent); and Tuvaluans (1 percent).
Demography of Pacific People in New Zealand
Revised version of paper presented by former Government Statistician Len Cook for Pacific Vision Conference, Auckland, 27-30 July 1999.
Pacific Progress
A report on the economic status of Pacific peoples in New Zealand, 2002.
2001 Census of Population and Dwellings: Pacific Peoples
Provides tables on Pacific peoples from the 2001 Census of Population and Dwellings.
1996 Census of Population and Dwellings: Pacific Peoples
Provides tables on Pacific peoples from the 1996 Census of Population and Dwellings.
Pacific Islands Profiles (1996 Census)
Profiles of Samoan, Cook Islands, Tongan, Niuean, Fijian and Tokelauan people in New Zealand.
Pacific Profiles (2001 Census)
Profiles of Cook Island Māori, Fijian, Niuean, Samoan, Tokelauan, Tongan, and Tuvaluan people in New Zealand.
The Needs of Pacific Peoples When They Are Victims of Crime
Ministry of Justice research report, 2003.
Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs’ Resources section links to publications and other tools for working more effectively with Pacific peoples in New Zealand.
Pacific Peoples and Tertiary Education
Ministry of Education research report on issues about participation in education for Pacific peoples, 2002.
References
Macpherson C, Spoonley P and Anae M (eds) (2002). Tangata o te Moana Nui: Peoples of the Great Sea, Dunmore Press, Palmerston North.
Chapple S and Humphris J (2000). An analysis of disparity between Pacific and non-Pacific peoples’ labour market outcomes in the Household Labour Force Survey, Labour Market Bulletin, 2000-2. Department of Labour, Wellington.
Experts
For further information email the Demography Division of Statistics New Zealand or write to:
Robert Didham
Demography Division
Statistics New Zealand
Dollan House
401 Madras Street
Private Bag 4741
Christchurch