Inequities in patterns and determinants of travel for Māori in Aotearoa/New Zealand

Abstract

Introduction

In Aotearoa New Zealand, substantial inequities exist between Māori (the Indigenous peoples) and non-Māori in a range of social outcomes. Transport-related inequities contribute to differences in life expectancy between Māori and non-Māori. Yet, no comprehensive analysis of ethnic differences in transportation mode use has been undertaken. This study aimed to describe patterns and determinants of travel among Māori and a comparator group (sole European).

Methods

We analysed data for adults from the 2015/16–2017/18 New Zealand Household Travel Survey (HTS), which measured participants’ travel patterns and transport outcomes over the course of a week. Descriptive comparisons between Māori and Sole European are reported, and stepwise regression was used to examine the influence of covariates on mode-specific distance travelled by ethnicity.

Results

943 Māori and 7329 Sole European participants were included in the analysis. Māori tended to travel fewer kilometres each week (223.2, 95% CI 194.5–251.8) compared to Sole European (246.2, 95% CI 237.4–255.0), although most comparisons had overlapping confidence intervals. After adjusting for all covariates, distances travelled by private motor vehicle were similar but Māori travelled significantly shorter distances on public transport and walking. The covariates that had the largest influence were age, occupation and area deprivation.

Conclusions

Differences between Māori and Sole European in distances travelled were less pronounced than expected. Explanations for this could include survey limitations and/or requirements to use a car to participate in society, despite socioeconomic disadvantage. Our findings point to the need for transport policy and infrastructure to increase opportunities for Māori to use active travel modes. There is also a critical need for higher quality data to better characterise, understand and develop responses to address these transport-related inequities.