• The Government’s response to the Wai 262 report Ko Aotearoa Tēnei: This is New Zealand. 6. Inequalities Continuing programmes and new approaches have sought to reduce the social and economic disadvantage experienced by some ethnic groups, particularly Māori and Pacific peoples. However, significant inequalities persist and in many cases have worsened during the economic recession. Māori and Pacific youth have been most affected by the labour market downturn. Figures from the Ministry of Social Development show unemployment for Māori and Pacific youth doubled in the two years to June 2010 to around 30 per cent for each group. The Government has sought to address inequalities through whole-of-government initiatives such as Whānau Ora and Addressing the Drivers of Crime. They provide no "quickfixes" but have potential to support positive change in the medium to long-term. Ethnic inequalities in health persist, with little apparent decrease over the past five years. In justice, Māori continue to be disproportionately represented in all areas of the criminal justice process. Apprehension rates have dropped since 2005-2006 for Europeans but have risen for Māori, Pacific, Asian and other ethnic groups. There were improvements in Māori and Pacific student achievement, particularly at NCEA level 1. This may be attributable to education initiatives over the last five years. For example, the Kotahitanga programme was reviewed in 2011 and found to have achieved positive change in how teachers relate to Māori students. The programme was designed to develop culturally responsive teaching and leadership. In 2008, the Ministry of Education published a Māori strategy "Ka Hikitia" that sets out objectives and measures for Māori students to achieve as Māori across the education system. A Pasifika Education Plan was adopted in 2009. A review in 2011 recommended changes in the next plan, for example more focus on language and cultural identity as a tool for educational success. The introduction of the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system in the 1990s led to a significant increase in the diversity of Members of Parliament. This continued in the 2008 and 2011 General Elections, and agreements after both elections between the National Party and the Māori Party saw the Māori Party become a part of the National led governments. A referendum on electoral systems at the 2011 General Election resulted in a clear majority for the retention of MMP. 16