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Ethnicity data: current issues and challenges

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Summary:

This presentation discussed some key current and future issues in ethnicity data and potential implications for the Māori health sector in regard to the collection, classification and output of ethnicity data in the health sector, the ability to monitor ethnicity data over time, the barriers and facilitators to ethnicity data collection, and the intersection of ethnicity data with genetic discourses in relation to Māori health and ethnic disparities.

Comment:
(Rhys Jones) Ethnicity is a complex and contested term, and the social and political contexts are constantly changing. In this presentation Donna gave an historical overview and outlined some of the current issues in Aotearoa. Ethnicity data can be used for good or evil: it should facilitate a better understanding of inequalities and provide for more effective interventions, but it is often linked to outdated notions of race and genetic explanations for inequalities. There was an interesting discussion about the ‘New Zealander’ response, which comprised 11.1% of the ethnicity responses in the 2006 Census. It is unclear how much of this is actual ethnic identification and how much is a protest response (or a response to being an ‘unmarked’ category). There is a risk that changes to ethnicity data policies and practices could compromise Māori rights and undermine the ability of the Crown to meet its obligations, so we need to continue to be vigilant in this area.
Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

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