Maori smoking on decline

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According to the latest Census, all iwi have seen a significant drop in their numbers of regular smokers — with an average decrease of around nine to 10 percent from 2006-2013.

Nga Puhi, New Zealand’s largest iwi, had the biggest drop in numbers of regular smokers with a decrease of 9.9 percent — followed closely by Ngati Tuwharetoa and Tuhoe.

Iwi with the smallest numbers of regular smokers include Ngai Tahu, Ngati Maniapoto and Nga Puhi. All three of these iwi sit under the national smoking rate for Maori of 32.7 percent.

Conversely, iwi like Tuhoe (38.2 percent) Waikato, Ngati Maniapoto and Ngati Tuwharetoa currently sit above the Maori national average. Ngati Porou smoking rates have dropped from about 40 percent to 31 percent.

The national average is 15 percent, which means Maori are smoking at just over double the rate of the general population. As the number of regular smokers has declined, the number of Maori who identify as “never smokers” or smokefree has increased. Being smokefree and tobacco free is now the norm for all iwi.

“A thriving iwi needs thriving descendants. A focus on iwi health will be a major focus,” says Naida Glavish, spokeswoman for the Whanau Ora Iwi Leaders Forum.

With 81 percent of Maori now living in urban areas, at least one-third live outside their tribal influence, more than one-quarter do not know their iwi or do not choose to affiliate with it, and at least 70 percent live outside the traditional tribal territory. — National Maori Tobacco Control Group