These researchers used data from a large national postal sample of 561 selfidentified Māori who completed the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study Time 4 Māori Focus questionnaire. A statistical model assessed whether reliable differences exist in rates of home ownership within the Māori population, that is, the extent to which some Māori are more likely to own their own home (partially or fully) relative to other Māori. Specifically, the study researchers tested whether Māori who perceive themselves as appearing more stereotypically Māori are less likely to own their own home relative to those who believe they appear less stereotypically Māori. The study’s analyses indicated that self-reported appearance as Māori, or the extent to which people thought they personally displayed features which visibly identified them as Māori to others, significantly predicted decreased rates of home ownership. This association held when adjusting for numerous other possible demographic covariates that might account for the association, such as education, level of deprivation of the immediate area, household income, age, relationship status, region of residence, amongst others. The study researchers conclude that their findings suggest there is, or at least has been in the recent past, institutional racism against Māori in New Zealand’s home lending industry based on merely appearing more Māori.
