The Impacts of COVID-19 on Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau
12 December 2021
A new report commissioned by the Independent Māori Statutory Board shows Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau have been significantly and disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
The negative impacts on Māori are evident in a range of areas, including financial hardship, social and cultural disconnection, loss and/or reduction in employment and the receipt of welfare support.
Since COVID-19 was first detected in Aotearoa in early 2020, its impacts have been most intensely felt in Tāmaki Makaurau, which is not only the major gateway for overseas visitors but also home to the highest number of Māori.
While the report, by Sapere, was limited by available data and the ongoing and significant impacts of COVID-19, it clearly shows the negative impact it has had and continues to have on Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Board Chair David Taipari says the report provides valuable insights into the effect of COVID-19 on Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau and indicates that the full impact is yet to be felt.
“Given the length of the latest lockdown – more than 100 days – the report shows the cumulative effects of COVID-19 are yet to be fully realised but are likely to be more severe over time,” he says.
“This is concerning as the report also highlights the negative impact COVID-19 has already had on our Māori communities”.
“However, this report will help inform decision-makers across the region and central government when they consider the types of resources and support needed to help our communities adapt and recover from COVID-19. While the report reinforces much of what we already know, it also highlights the success of a ‘By Māori For Māori’ approach and sees this as an opportunity to reshape our future.”
The report shows key industries which employ high numbers of Māori were among the hardest hit by COVID-19. The retail, accommodation and food services sector – the biggest employer of Māori – lost nearly 30 per cent of jobs while construction, manufacturing and retail were also hit hard.
This led to a 38 per cent increase in the number of Māori Job Seeker recipients in Tāmaki Makaurau from the first quarter to the fourth quarter of 2020.
The report also includes the results of a survey of 2,000 Māori, that found almost half the respondents indicated that COVID had put relationships under stress or was a factor in the ending of the relationship. Respondents also reported feeling sad, socially isolated and frustrated at being cut off from whānau, unable to practice tikanga or attend tangihanga, while also highlighting adverse financial outcomes.
Mr Taipari says some of the most poignant survey responses were from kaumātua who were unable to visit mokopuna.
“While everyone has been impacted by COVID-19, history shows that Māori suffer more than most during pandemics such as the one we now face and the recent emergence of the Omicron variant gives us further cause for concern.”
The full report is available on the website.
The Issue of Significance 2021
28 June 2021
The Schedule of Issues of Significance (IoS) is a statutory document that guides the Board’s advocacy to Auckland Council, Local Boards and Council-Controlled Organisations, for and on behalf of Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau.
The IoS also supports the development of robust partnerships between mana whenua, mātāwaka and local government. This updated version covers the original 29 issues of significance which all connect to actions of importance for improving outcomes for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau.
10 March 2020
Incorporating Māori cultural values and aspirations into all aspects of Council decision-making and planning for the future development of Tāmaki Makaurau has positive benefits for all Aucklanders, the Chairman of the Independent Māori Statutory Board, David Taipari, says.
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14 October 2019
Board Chairman, David Taipari, takes stock of the last three years and reflects on pushing Māori interests to the forefront at Auckland Council where the future direction of New Zealand’s largest and most prosperous city, and home to Aotearoa’s largest and growing urban Māori youth population, is determined.
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30 April 2019
The Independent Māori Statutory Board (the Board) welcomes the Salvation Army-led community housing sector KiwiBuy campaign calling for community housing investment for vulnerable whānau in Tāmaki Makaurau, Board housing spokesperson, Tony Kake, said today.
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3 December 2018
The Independent Māori Statutory Board (the Board) today released the Kāinga Strategic Action Plan, a plan which delivers on the aspirations of the Auckland Māori Housing Summit in April by setting out a series of priority actions targeting real change.
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26 November 2018
The Independent Māori Statutory Board welcomes the government’s announcement of an Urban Development Authority to promote much-needed regeneration of housing in Tāmaki Makaurau, Board Chairman, David Taipari, said today.
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14 November 2018
The Independent Māori Statutory Board welcomes the appointment of the Hon Nanaia Mahuta as Associate Minister of Housing and Urban Development with responsibility for Māori outcomes.
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17 September 2018
The Independent Māori Statutory Board is congratulating Aucklanders for getting behind Te Wiki o Te Reo (Māori Language Week) and showing their support for te reo Māori.
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7 August 2018
The Independent Māori Statutory Board (the Board) says despite anticipated improvements to transport expected to come from revenue from the regional fuel tax, the Auckland Council and the Government urgently need to come up with ways to offset the fuel tax’s impact on low-income Auckland households, particularly for Māori living
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25 July 2018
An independent audit of Auckland Council’s (Council) activities to improve Māori economic, social and cultural and environmental development in Tāmaki Makaurau has found that Council has made significant efforts to address a high number of outstanding recommended actions from the previous 2014/15 audit, Independent Māori Statutory Board (Board) Chairman, David
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16 April 2018
The Auckland Māori Housing Summit is an opportunity for Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau to help shape the future of housing development in Auckland, and to address housing issues in the region with key government Ministers, the Chairman of the Independent Māori Statutory Board, David Taipari says.
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19 September 2017
The Independent Māori Statutory Board welcomes a raft of new Auckland Council initiatives that will increase visibility of te reo Māori.
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26 October 2017
The new coalition government’s commitment to building homes and tackling housing affordability are crucial initiatives, and the Board is encouraging Ministers to work closely with councils, iwi and housing organisations.
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27 November 2017
An independent assessment of Auckland Council’s activities to improve Māori economic, social and cultural and environmental development in Tāmaki Makaurau highlights ongoing and significant missed opportunities, not only for Auckland Māori, but for the region as a whole, Chairman of the Independent Māori Statutory Board, (the Board) David Taipari, says.
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