Statistics NZ > Analytical reports > Women in New Zealand

Women in New Zealand

This report combines the 1996 census information with data from other sources and, where possible, provides comparative information on changes over the previous decade. The book also focuses on specific groups of women, notably Māori women, whose position is described in some detail.




Women are the majority sex
Women outlive men
As a group women are growing older
Most women live in large urban centres
Ethnic diversity of women is growing
Women are marrying later
De facto relationships
Delayed childbearing and fewer children
Two-parent families
One-parent families
Womens labour force participation grows
Paid employment lower for women with young children
Employment levels lower for Māori
Many women work part-time
Womens employment concentrated in services industries
Unemployment higher for women than men
Womens self-rated health
Health status of Māori women lower
Cancer - leading cause of death
More women than men have disabilities
Women are continuing their education to hight levels
Māori women have lower retention rates
Traditional gender differences
Women are leaving school more educated
Women are better qualified
Womens incomes lower than mens
Hours worked a major factor
Receipt of income support higher
Marked ethnic differentials in income
Incomes in one-parent families