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Density of the Maori Population.
By its own natural increase the larger European population (1,218,913, as against 52,751 Maori in 1921) is every year rendering the proportion of the Maori population less and less in the total population of the country. The following table shows that the number of Europeans to one Maori has been steadily increasing in spite of the fact that the Maori population has also been increasing:—
| Year. | Number of Europeans to One Maori. |
|---|---|
| 1891 | 14.9 |
| 1896 | 17.6 |
| 1901 | 17.9 |
| 1906 | 18.6 |
| 1911 | 20.2 |
| 1916 | 22.0 |
| 1921 | 23.6 |
The proportion of 23.6 Europeans to 1 Maori, or 4.2 Maoris for every 100 Europeans, is the ratio for the total population of both Islands.
The density of the Maori population in particular districts, however, varies considerably. This is clearly shown in the accompanying map. The population of Maoris and Europeans was taken for each hospital district, and the number of Maoris to 100 Europeans shown for each area. The boundaries may not be quite accurate in every particular, but they serve to convey a general idea. The outstanding feature is that there are two areas of dense population, one in the north and one in the east. In the black area of Hokianga, on the west side of the northern area, there are more Maoris than Europeans. To the north and north-east of it lie Mangonui and Whangaroa, with 71 and 74 respectively to the 100 Europeans. To the east lies the Bay of Islands with 64. Though these-parts have probably always carried a large Maori population owing to the climate suiting the cultivation of the kumara, its present high ratio was further assisted by lesser European settlement. Though containing the oldest European settlements, the area contained so much poor gum-lands unsuitable for closer settlement that European settlers went elsewhere. The Maoris naturally hold the fertile valleys; and except for timber, gum, and trading there was not so much inducement for white occupation. With the opening-up of some of the land, and better travelling facilities,
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the European population is increasing, and in the future we may see the shading of this area becoming lighter. This density of population has in the past been protected by the isolation the area enjoyed on account of bad roads and comparatively poor country. Passing south, we encounter larger towns at Whangarei and Dargaville, with larger white populations, thus further reducing the Maori density to 8 and 12.4 respectively. In the Auckland district, in spite of a fairly large Maori population of 1,733, the huge white population reduces the density to less than 1. Owing to
Map of North Island, showing density of Maoris to Europeans, in hospital districts.
prosperous European settlements, the Waikato district, though containing 9,234 Maoris, has its density reduced to 11.9 when spread over its very large area.
Turning to the other dense area, in the east, we find that it also has enjoyed isolation in the past. Owing to bad roads, land-buyers of the early days sought holdings in more accessible places. During those days of isolation the Ngati-Porou Tribe; of Waiapu, learned sheep-farming, and are working their lands themselves. Knowing how to utilize their lands, they now refuse to provide the opportunity for excessive European
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penetration. Their material prosperity is no doubt having its effect in increasing the population, which for Waiapu is 3,643. East of Waiapu we have the Bay of Plenty, with a fairly dense population owing to conditions being congenial to the Maori, and lack of roads retarding European settlement. Tauranga, farther east, owing to old European settlement, shades off to 27. Below Waiapu we have the comparatively large town of Gisborne reducing the density of the Cook County to 9.7, but farther on Wairoa rises to 64. Wairoa has in the past suffered a certain amount of isolation from bad roads and an uncertain port, whilst the Maori in the district have always been strong. From now on we reach country easily accessible and early acquirable, and so we pass through Hawke's Bay, Waipawa, and Wairarapa, with densities of 3.6, 2.7, and 2.4 respectively. On the west coast from Taranaki to Wellington the same conditions hold, owing to early settlement, early acquisition of Maori land, roads and railways, large towns, and the continuous decrease in the density of the Maori population of the area. If smaller parts of the areas were taken, such as the Wanganui River and Lake Taupo, a slightly different arrangement of shading would be shown in those particular parts.
For the South Island, Picton and Wairau, with 6 and 1.6 respectively, are the only districts with a density not below 1. For the whole of the South Island there are 4 Maoris to 1,000 Europeans. In two Hospital Board districts there are 4 to 10,000 whites, and in three districts there are none at all.
When the density falls very low, the opportunities for assimilation by intermarriage are increased.