Income is an important measure of progress in the lives of Māori individuals and whānau because how much people earn has a significant impact on their economic and social wellbeing. This fact sheet shows the changes and shifts in the median weekly personal income¹ of Māori between 2003 and 2008 ².

Key facts

• Between 2003 and 2008, the median weekly personal income of Māori increased by 34% from $372 to $500.
• In this period, Māori in the 25-44 age group had the highest weekly income of all age groups in the Māori population increasing from $473 to $638.
• In 2008, Māori living in the Southland region had the highest weekly income of all Māori regional populations with $588.
• Between 2003 and 2008, Māori with post compulsory qualifications had higher weekly incomes than those with school qualifications and those without qualifications.

¹ Median weekly personal income is the amount where half the population earn more, and half earn less, than this amount.
² It is based on data collected from the New Zealand Income Survey that is conducted by Statistics New Zealand.