Aotearoa New Zealand Journal of Social Issues

Recent Aotearoa/New Zealand Social Science Books (2021-2022)

Charles Crothers — 2023-02-01

A listing of social science New Zealand-related books published between 2021 and 2022 is provided.

Insights from Statistical Trends and Patterns relating to Youth Justice: 1911 - 2021

Len Cook — 2023-06-01

The distinctive demographic characteristics of Māori during the 20th century have significantly influenced the impact on Māori of public policy in many fields. Although the focus of this paper is on imprisonment rates, the approach may have some relevance in health, education and housing in particular. By grouping birth cohorts to quantify the experiences of five generations of Māori over the 20^th century, it is possible to identify where shifts in legislation and institutional practices, particularly of the Police and the Judiciary, coincide with the generational shifts that reflect societal and demographic change. In this paper, insights into intergenerational change have been based on birth cohort experiences estimated from 1911. The paper shows that young males under 20 are now less likely to enter prison than any generation over the last 100 years. Differences remain in the likelihood of apprehension and sentencing for offending between Māori and those of European ethnicity. This has persisted regardless of justice policy as it has shifted from being strongly punitive to emphasising prevention, diversion and rehabilitation. The impact on the prison population over the next twenty years will be substantial, as it will decline and be predominantly from older age groups.

Public Interest Polling in New Zealand, 2022- 2023

Charles Crothers — 2023-06-01

Results of public-facing public opinion surveys are presented, for the post-Covid period. Obtaining access to results or even the existence of a survey was difficult and methodological details are sparsely reported. The period covered in this compilation has been marked by the shadow of Covid. The studies vary in form from one-offs, to dribbles one question at a time over a series to large scale reports. Both Stuff and the NZ Herald have (rather intermittent) series of surveys. Many of the major issues of the day have been touched on:

Covid and its aftermaths, The floods and their consequences, Trust, Cost of Living, Ethnic relations and migration, Housing, Monarchy, Taxes.

But there is much more that could have been covered and the methodological standards reached could have been higher. Nevertheless, many of the studies included are of widespread interest and some of direct policy relevance.

Regular Surveys on New Zealanders

Charles Crothers — 2023-06-01

Public and private decision-making are aided by a continuous stream of survey data on public opinion and practises. Nevertheless, many of the studies included are of widespread interest and some of direct policy relevance. Most of these surveys are well-founded methodologically and well-resourced with survey activity in each sector often hosted by major State Ministries and/or by more operational agencies. However, this listing is only a snapshot as changes are often afoot and more generally survey operations have yet to recover from the Covid phase. A listing of current regularised survey operations is provided after pointing to several coordinating frameworks.

Notes on Tāone Hapū – Māori Gangs

Brian Easton — 2023-07-01

This paper aims to promote discussion on the complex issue of Tāone Hapū (Māori Gangs), recognising the substantial literature which already exists but adding two further directions which tend to be downplayed:

– while it is accepted that the urban Māori migration was traumatic, that Māori have been adapting successfully to their new circumstances is frequently overlooked;

– one of those adaptations was Tāone Hapū – Māori Gangs.

The paper argues that there is a need to reframe the analysis of Tāone Hapū towards a sociological and anthroponomical perspective as a social form responding to the trauma of Māori urbanisation and the resulting social pathologies rather than to focus only on their own difficulties – especially criminality.

Jonathan Hearn (2023) The Domestication of Competition: Social Evolution and Liberal Society Cambridge University Press

David Pearson — 2023-06-01

Review of Jonathan Hearn (2023) The Domestication of Competition: Social Evolution and Liberal Society Cambridge University Press