Our People, Our Numbers
Demographics and identity in data
Ako | Learning Intentions
- Know: How to interpret census data tables and graphs.
- Do: Analyze trends in Te Reo MÄori speakers over the last 3 censuses.
- Understand: That data can tell powerful stories about cultural survival and growth.
He KÅrero Timatanga - Introduction
Statistics help us understand who we are as a nation. The Census is like a mirror held up to Aotearoa every 5 years. What does it show us about our culture?
Discussion Starter
"Is Aotearoa getting younger or older? Is it getting more diverse?"
Predict: What percentage of people speak Te Reo MÄori today vs 2013?
Part 1: Census Data Dive
We will examine the age-structure of the MÄori population vs the European population.
š Population Pyramids
Compare two shapes:
- MÄori Population: Wide base (Young population). Median age ~27.
- European Population: Narrow base (Aging population). Median age ~41.
Question: What does this mean for the future workforce? For schools? For healthcare?
Part 2: Te Reo MÄori Revitalization
Analyze the data on Te Reo speakers.
| Year | Percentage Speakers |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3.7% |
| 2018 | 4.0% |
| 2023 | 7.1% (Estimated) |
Task: Calculate the percentage increase between 2013 and 2023.
Caution: Be careful with "percentage points" vs "percentage growth".
Assessment Preparation (AS 91945)
For your assessment, you will choose one dataset (Housing, Sustainability, or Culture) and produce a report.
Your report must include:
- Problem Statement: What are you investigating?
- Method: What calculations or graphs did you use?
- Findings: What did the numbers show?
- Conclusion: What does this mean for Aotearoa?
Kaiako Notes
Use this lesson to tackle misconceptions about statistics. Show how data can be manipulated, and the importance of looking at the source.