The data were collected by means of self-reports and parental reports. Results revealed that the children of Maori ethnicity had significantly higher rates of offending than children of Pakeha (European) ethnicity. The Maori rates were 1.45 to 2.25 times higher than the Pakeha rates. However, after adjustment for a series of social and environmental factors, including maternal age, maternal educational levels, family socioeconomic status, family living standards, and early childhood environment, these associations declined, so that children of Maori or Pacific Island ethnicity had risks of offending ranging from 1.08 to 1.55 times higher than children of Pakeha ethnicity. In four of the five comparisons, no significant relationship was found between ethnicity and offending after adjusting for social and contextual factors. Tables and 38 references