Maori high school students have cut back on cigarettes and alcohol, despite financial stress and fewer job opportunities, a nation-wide survey shows.
The University of Auckland surveyed 1700 Maori students nationwide on their health and well-being in 2012.
The rate of regular smoking for Maori secondary school students has dropped by half since 2007, with 8.3 per cent saying they smoke cigarettes regularly.
Prinicpal investigator Dr Terryann Clark, who is a senior nursing lecturer at the university, says Maori youth are making better life choices.
The average young person today will tell you smoking is bad for your health and that it is no longer seen as sexy or cool, as it once was, Dr Clark says.
Young people are no longer surrounded by alcohol advertising or smoking in public places like earlier generations were, she says.
The report shows the number of Maori youth who drink alcohol at least once a week has more than halved in the past five years - something which comes as a surprise to Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams.
The survey bucks the trend of many other reports but, nonetheless, any indication of a move away from alcohol consumption should be celebrated, Ms Williams says.