Maori and nonMaori postneonatal mortality rates by domicile

The urbanisation of Maori with the possible loss of family and cultural ties may in part account for the higher Maori postneonatal mortality rate compared with nonMaori. To examine this hypothesis rural and urban postneonatal mortality rates by region and ethnic group were compared. In the North Island regions there was no significant difference between the urban and rural rates of either ethnic group. In the South Island the rate for Maori in the rural areas (7.51/1000 live births) was lower (RR = 0.45, 95%CI = 0.17-1.17) than in the urban areas (16.83/1000).