WELLINGTON, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's Maori people account for more than 28 percent of total unemployment in 2017, and nearly a third of Maori youth "not in employment, education and training," according to a government report released on Monday.

Between 2012 and 2017, Maori labor market outcomes have improved, said the report released by New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

In 2017, the labor force participation rate for Maori reached nearly 70 percent, the highest on record, driven by strong participation growth from women and youth, the report showed.

Maori unemployment rates also fell during this period, again being led by women and youth, it said, adding the Maori workforce is shifting towards highly skilled occupations as Maori employment in business services expand.

"Maori have generally poorer labor market outcomes compared to the rest of New Zealanders," the report said, adding that compared to the rest of the workforce, Maori workers are younger, and concentrated in lower-skilled occupations, and in industries particularly vulnerable to changes in technology and economic cycles, such as manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade and construction.

The report is an annual update of key labor market statistics, and provides information on employment by industry, occupation, and region for Maori over the past five years, according to the ministry.