Age
Age has a significant bearing on Māori home ownership rates. In 2006, the proportions were lowest for the 15 to 24 year old age group (just 3.0 percent). Older age groups exhibited a gradual increase, consistent with increased wealth accumulation over time (20.7 percent for Māori 25 to 34 years old and 39.6 percent for Māori 35 to 44 years old), until reaching a peak at 60.1 percent for Māori aged 65 years and over.
Between 2001 and 2006, Māori home ownership rates decreased for all age groups. The largest decreases occurred among 35 to 44 year olds (down 5.1 percent to 39.6 percent), and 45 to 54 year olds (down 5.1 percent to 50.9 percent). The smallest decreases were seen among younger ages with already low home ownership rates, such as 15 to 24 year olds (down 0.1 percent to 3.0 percent) and 25 to 34 year olds (down 2.0 percent to 20.7 percent). This trend indicates that recent decreases in home ownership disproportionately affected middle-aged Māori.
Graph 2: Home Ownership Rates for Māori by Age Group in 2001 and 2006
