This life-expectancy graph shows the separate epidemiological transitions of Māori and non-Māori. (Data was not available for Māori in 1876.) The transition – increased life expectancy, and a decrease in deaths from infectious diseases – happened between 1876 and 1945 for Pākehā, but only began in the mid-20th century for Māori. In 1945 Māori had lower life expectancy than non-Māori had had in 1876. By 1976, however, the gap was closing, and that trend continued.