This graph highlights how the home-ownership rate in Māori households fell during the 20th century. In 1926 nearly 70% of Māori households owned their own homes; by 1986 it had fallen to below 50%. As the home-ownership rate fell, the proportion of people renting or living rent free increased. In contrast, the total New Zealand homeownership rate increased over the same period, peaking at just under 73% in 1986.
The high rate of Māori home ownership at the beginning of the period reflected the fact that Māori were largely a rural people, living on their own land and in their own (sometimes dilapidated) homes. After 1945 most Māori moved to towns and cities where, due to their lower than average incomes, home ownership was more unaffordable. This forced many to rent their homes.
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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
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Source: New Zealand census 1926–2006
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