Population - Māori estimated resident population by age group 1991–2021

All population estimates at 30 June 2018 and beyond use the 2018-base ERP.

Māori ethnic population is the population who identify themselves with the Māori ethnicity with or without other ethnicities.
Because ethnicity is self-perceived, people can identify with Māori ethnicity even though they are not descended from a Māori ancestor. Conversely, people may choose to not identify with Māori ethnicity even though they are descended from a Māori ancestor. It is a measure of cultural affiliation (in contrast to race, ancestry, nationality, or citizenship).

Māori population estimates are obtained by updating the base population of the Māori ethnic group for births, deaths, estimated net migration, and estimated inter-ethnic mobility during the ensuing period.

The estimated resident population of the Māori ethnic group is based on the census usually resident population count of the Māori ethnic group with adjustments for Māori residents missed or counted more than once by the census (net census undercount), for Māori residents temporarily overseas on census night and for non-response to the census ethnicity question.

The estimates refer to the mean value for the specified calendar year.

http://datainfoplus.stats.govt.nz/Item/nz.govt.stats/5b6313fc-3ce3-434e-8ee7-6bac79305e53?_ga=2.100668225.1774620703.1653059416-438339483.1627939401
https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/maori-population-estimates-mean-year-ended-31-december-2021

The accuracy of the estimates depends on the accuracy of the estimated base and change in numbers. The accuracy of the base depends on the accuracy of the census and the estimated adjustments made to the base.

2020 has seen atypical migration patterns, with record-high net migration in March 2020 followed by very low levels of net migration due to COVID-19-related border closures. The current method used to estimate provisional Māori migration for periods up to 17 months ago cannot take account of these changed migration patterns. A different method is required so that the Māori population estimates reflect what is currently happening.
The change to the method for estimating provisional Māori migration is based on actual migration data linked to ethnicity data from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI). This provides a more accurate estimate of how the Māori population is changing.
The change in method affects quarters from 1 January 2020. There is no change to the method used for earlier periods, either the finalised period or the October 2019 provisional quarter, as this was pre-COVID-19 border closure migration pattern impacts.
Stats NZ expects that the provisional Māori migration method outlined on this page will be used until New Zealand’s border restrictions are lifted.

At URL provided, select 'Population > Population Estimates - DPE > Maori Ethnic Group Estimated Resident Population by Age and Sex (1991+) (Annual-Dec)'. All variables were selected to create this dataset.