Ethnicity and crowding: A detailed examination of crowding among ethnic groups in New Zealand 1986–2006 looks at the rates of crowding experienced by different ethnic groups in New Zealand and at factors that might contribute to these differences. This paper also includes some background information about the definition of ethnicity and the ethnic classification used in New Zealand. Much of this paper concentrates on differences at the more detailed level of the ethnic classification (level 2).
Purpose
Why focus on ethnic variation in crowding? Crowding varies markedly by ethnic group. Ethnic variations in crowding have been observed both in New Zealand and in other settler societies, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The information presented in this paper may help policymakers address the severe crowding that some ethnic groups experience. Severe crowding is linked to detrimental health outcomes among these groups.
Key Results
• Crowding has been consistently higher among some ethnic groups in recent years.
• Just under a quarter of Māori lived in a crowded household in 2006.
• In 2006, Pacific peoples had the highest rates of crowding of all ethnic groupings.
• Among Pacific people, Tongans experienced the highest rates of crowding (1 in 2 Tongan people lived in a crowded house in 2006).
• At the 2006 Census, one in three people identifying with an African ethnicity experienced crowding.
• People with European ethnicity experienced the lowest rates of crowding.
• People in crowded households had lower incomes.
• Recent migrants were more likely to experience crowding.