As of the 2018 Census, 381,642 people from over thirty distinct Pacific groups lived in New Zealand (59.4% identify with one Pacific Peoples ethnicity only), 49.9% were female (50.1% male) (Stats.NZ).
Two thirds (66%) of those who identify as Pacific Peoples were born in New Zealand, representing an increase from 60% in 2006 (Stats.NZ).
The Pacific Peoples population in New Zealand is comparatively young, with a median age of 23.4 years in 2018. Estimated life expectancy for males at birth is 75.9 and for females is 80.2 years. Only five percent of Pacific Peoples are aged 65 years or older and this is mainly made up of females who were typically born overseas (Pacific Aotearoa Status Report: A Snapshot 2020 (Ministry for Pacific Peoples).
For Pacific Peoples, the median weekly wage as of June 2021 is $959, with women earning $863 and men earning $1,020. With a median yearly income of $24,300 for Pacific People, this is lower than the overall Aotearoa New Zealand median income of $31,800. However, employment rates are increasing, growing by 20,600 people over the year to June 2021. The labour force participation rate increased to 66.2%, up from 64% in June 2020 (MBIE).
Homeownership among Pacific Peoples in New Zealand is the lowest among the recorded ethnicities (21% own or partly own a home as of 2018, compared to 52% for Aotearoa New Zealand overall) (Pacific Aotearoa Status Report: A Snapshot 2020 (Ministry for Pacific Peoples).
Find data for and about Pacific people in Aotearoa: Financial Capability in NZ: Focus on Pacific People.
Pacific People in the 2022 RRIP
Research commissioned by Te Ara Ahunga Ora for the 2022 RRIP and undertaken by Ministry for Pacific Peoples found that better housing solutions and financial education are the key to improving the wellbeing of Pacific Peoples in retirement.
Other resources
The following are some recent research projects conducted or commissioned by us that report on Pacific Peoples and financial capability.
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New Zealand Financial Capability - Focus on Pacific Peoples
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Rohorua, H., Kingstone, S., Taufa, S., Tausi, M., and Koloto, A. (2021) Pacific Economy Research Report on Unpaid Work and Volunteering in Aotearoa
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Tanielu, R. (2019). The Housing Crisis Facing Pasifika People in Aotearoa Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, Salvation Army.
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Thomsen, S., Tavita, J., and Levi-Teu, Z. (2018) A Pacific Perspective on Living Standards Framework and Wellbeing The Treasury, New Zealand
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Families Commission (2012). Pacific Families and Problem Debt
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Koloto, A & Associations Ltd, New Zealand Institute of Economic Research/Gray Matter Research Ltd. (2007) Pacific Housing Experiences: Developing Trends and Issues For the Center for Housing Research, Aotearoa New Zealand / Ministry of Pacific Island Affa