Respected Tairāwhiti leader Cushla Tangaere says rising unemployment is reversing years of hard-fought progress for Māori communities, warning that every job lost has a ripple effect on whānau, housing, education and regional development. The latest Stats NZ figures show Māori continue to be disproportionately affected by the economic slowdown, with Māori unemployment rising to 10.8 percent, nearly double the national rate. The unemployment figures have become a major political issue ahead of the general election, with parties debating how best to stimulate job creation and strengthen the economy. While national discussions often focus on percentages and economic forecasts, Tangaere says Māori communities experience the reality behind those numbers every day. She says rebuilding the economy must include targeted support for regions and Māori communities that have historically carried a disproportionate share of unemployment during economic downturns.