Ngāi Tahu survey identifies concerns and strengths

A major survey of the needs and aspirations of Ngāi Tahu, the South Island's largest iwi - Mo Tatou - has just been completed.

Mo Tatou outlines the major areas of concern to Ngāi Tahu members as the environment, health, education and employment.  It reports on members' views on Ngāi Tahu governance and distribution of iwi investments. 

The comprehensive community survey also reports that Ngāi Tahu members may be beating national trends on Maori health and social issues - for example, with lower smoking rates, higher GP visits, higher home ownership, and higher median income than other Maori - though still behind the rates for the general population.  Findings were reported in The Press on 29 and 30 December 2004.

Mo Tatou questionnaires were mailed to 4000 randomly chosen Ngāi Tahu, and had a 55.3% response rate.