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The Defence Force wants to attract more diverse recruits.
Figures given to RNZ show that since 2003 the number of people in the military identifying as New Zealand European has risen. But the number of Māori has fallen - from 20 percent in 2003 to 16 percent this year.
And people from the Pacific, Asia and the Middle East are only a tiny fraction of the total force.
Defence Minister Ron Mark told RNZ defence reporter Jonathan Mitchell the numbers aren't good enough and he wants to recruit more people from different backgrounds.