Maori Theft: A Study of Crime and Acculturation Stress

Abstract

The report of the Department of Justice for the year ended 31 st March 1958, describes Maori offenders as constituting "the heart of the penal problem'(1). It further points out that, taking the age structure of the Maori population into consideration, unless means are found to reduce the amount of crime among Maori youths, "the future outlook is deplorable". (2) Previous annual reports(3) from the same Department briefly outline the basis for these statements. The number of Maori inmates in prisons and borstals in New Zealand for exceed the number that might reasonably be expected from the total Maori population, Further, with population increases, as presented below (page 5), the position appears to be worsening with time rather than improving. Maori crime is certainly a popular topic amongst journalists. New Zealand newspapers make continuous mention of it, presenting an array of theories and notions, providing stimulating material for numerous 'letters to the editor'. The subject at once provides ground for criticism of government policy, and reflection on the whole range of the differing philosophies and attitudes of the two racial groups.