Maori identity signatures: A latent profile analysis of the types of Maori identity.

ABSTRACT

Maori are the indigenous peoples of New Zealand. However, the term 'Maori' can refer to a wide range of people of varying ethnic compositions and cultural identity. We present a statistical model identifying 6 distinct types, or 'Maori Identity Signatures,' and estimate their proportion in the Maori population. The model is tested using a Latent Profile Analysis of a national probability sample of 686 Maori drawn from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study. We identify 6 distinct signatures Traditional Essentialists (22.6%), Traditional Inclusives (16%), High Moderates (31.7%), Low Moderates (18.7%), Spiritually Orientated (4.1%), and Disassociated (6.9%). These distinct Identity Signatures predicted variation in deprivation, age, mixed-ethnic affiliation, and religion. This research presents the first formal statistical model assessing how people's identity as Maori is psychologically structured, documents the relative proportion of these different patterns of structures, and shows that these patterns reliably predict differences in core demographics. We identify a range of patterns of Maori identity far more diverse than has been previously proposed based on qualitative data, and also show that the majority of Maori fit a moderate or traditional identity pattern. The application of our model for studying Maori health and identity development is discussed.