This paper emanines labour force participation in New Zealand from l891 to 1981. It commences with a brief review of previous work in the area and then draws upon data from the New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings to investigate participation races. Age-specific data for Maoris, non-Maoris and Pacific Island Polynesians are analysed and male rates are compared with female rates. The paper concludes by identifying unresolved questions requiring further research
