A Massey University study that says Pacific peoples are draining the New Zealand economy has been scorned by Maori and Pacific community leaders.
Pacific peoples are draining the New Zealand economy because they are less productive and less likely to contribute to economic growth, according to new research.
The Massey University report released last week says Polynesians are overrepresented in crime statistics and are most likely to be unemployed and need Government assistance for housing and income. They also perform poorly in education.
And the problem is being compounded by immigration from the islands.
Sounds kind of harsh you must be thinking?
But that is the conclusions drawn from a three-year study dubbed Growing Pains, Evaluations and the Cost of Human Capital, based on government data from the Economic Development Ministry, Labour Department and Pacific Island Affairs Ministry.
The study has already being rubbished by Pacific Affairs Minister, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban who called it “lazy and unprofessional”. Other Pacific community leaders have joined the chorus of outrage, saying the report failed to factor in rising achievement levels and increased Pacific representation in various aspects of New Zealand society.
Even Maori have come out strongly to condemn the study.
"Every mention of Pasifika peoples in this report is negative,” says Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia. "As Dr Colin Tukuitonga, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs recently said, researchers should stop describing the problem and help to find solutions. It's ironic that everyone seems to value the All Blacks, the Kiwis and our elite sportspeople competing in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games arenas, and yet I wonder whether we appreciate the enormous impact our Pasifika whanaunga make in these fields - as indeed they do right across our society.”
"Ironically, the Growing Pains report actually identifies that one of the reasons for poor market performance is discrimination (p6)," adds Mrs Turia. “The writer might have been far better off exploring how to address discrimination, than simply rehashing worn out stereotypes around Pasifika peoples. The report has raised one question however which deserves an answer" said Mrs Turia. "What will the Government do to invest in Pacific communities in order to best maximise their considerable talents?'
However, Dr Grey Clydesdale of Massey University believes Pacific islanders were responsible for creating an underclass, while Polynesians demonstrated “significant and enduring under-achievement.”
"Of particular concern is the large Polynesian subculture whose educational achievements mean they will contribute very poorly in this regard," Dr Clydesdale said.
Immigration was making the problem worse, and the study, released last week, predicts a gloomy forecast for the New Zealand economy if conditions continued on its current course.
The study, which looks at the effect of all immigrants on the New Zealand economy, will be presented at a conference in Brazil in July.
