Sarries sees serious social pressure in national report

Social pressures are mounting in New Zealand, according to the Salvation Army’s ‘State of the Nation 2023’ report.

These pressures are hitting people from different directions.

The report points to rising costs of living, rising household debt, a shortage of affordable housing and declining educational outcomes. It notes that more and more young people are complaining of emotional distress.

The State of the Nation report brings together existing data to provide an annual snapshot of social progress as a nation.

Salvation Army Lieutenant Colonel Ian Hutson said, “This report recognizes the real and real pressures that are affecting people’s lives more and more. They are struggling to ensure dry and affordable accommodation.”

He said the job market remains “surprisingly ineffective” in finding jobs for youth, Maori and Pacifica.

Last September, the unemployment rate for workers in Maori (6.8%) and Pacifica (6.4%) was more than double that of workers in Asia and Europe.

Economic disparities are also evident, with 1 in 5 households in the Pacific reporting not having enough money.

Māori households were twice as likely as European and Asian households to survive on scarce resources.

It puts pressure on the lives of those people in particular. “It’s the lowest-income households that are being hit hardest,” says Hutson.

Our social well-being is not just about money. There are other pressures, which again affect especially the Maori and Pacifica peoples.

Surrey’s research found that about one-fifth of Langatahi Maori between the ages of 15 and 24 were not employed, educated or trained.

This is more than double the proportion of non-Maori.

Alcohol consumption is at dangerous levels for one-third of Maori.

The Sulles allude to the broader collective costs that society needs to take into account. These must support people to live fulfilling lives and avoid the social and economic costs of inequality.

They want political leaders to take action in an election year to address social disparities and help communities meet their “cost of living.”

Although child poverty and hardship have decreased, child poverty rates remain high, particularly among Maori and Pacifica children.

A proportion of young people aged 15 to 24 report high levels of emotional distress. Educational outcomes are deteriorating. Enrollment rates are declining.

While housing conditions have improved for some, the rental market remains tight and rents are generally rising steadily.

Worryingly, average household debt, driven by mortgage and consumer and credit card debt, has risen to its highest levels in more than 15 years.

The report also notes that crime and punishment have increased over the past year, but the number of offenders and police proceedings against them has dropped significantly. A pandemic-related backlog and an increase in jury trials have pushed the remand rate to a record high of 41%.

positive result

Fortunately, the report’s findings aren’t all negative.

Hazardous drinking is generally declining. Cannabis and methamphetamine convictions have declined. And people are withdrawing their Kiwi Saver savings for difficult reasons.

Maori have seen improvements in some areas. Māori infant mortality has declined sharply and the large gap between Rangatahi Māori and non-Māori crime rates has narrowed.

There is also an increasing proportion of Māori who report being able to speak some words and phrases in Teleo.

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