This paper presents key findings about the health and wellbeing of Māori adults and children in 2011/12, which come from the New Zealand Health Survey.
In summary
In 2011/12, almost all Māori children aged 0–14 years were in good health, according to their parents. More than four in five Māori adults aged 15 years and over reported being in good health.
However, the survey results also highlight persisting health inequities for Māori in New Zealand, and identify a number of challenges for improving Māori health. Māori continue to have higher rates of obesity and diabetes, as well as of a range of other health conditions, than non-Māori. While the Māori smoking rate remains unchanged since 2006/07, it is still substantially higher than the rate for the total population.
Another key challenge is to improve access to health services for Māori adults and children. For example, Māori were more likely to report an unmet need for primary health care in the past year, for a number of reasons (including cost). The health sector needs to ensure that health services are accessible, appropriate and responsive to Māori.