Summary of what the consultation was about:
Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ) recently requested feedback on the proposed changes to the census. Due to an increase in costs of the traditional census, Stats NZ proposes moving away from a traditional census and instead utilising a combined model with a smaller annual survey which supports an increased reliance on administrative data collected from various government agencies.
Questions from the census consultation:
Consultation question 1.
Do you have feedback on the benefits, opportunities, and challenges of the new census approach?
Although we value the timely distribution of census data and acknowledge that the increase in frequency of data collection and release may be beneficial to some organisations, we reiterate concerns raised in the 2024 consultation period regarding cohorts who are likely to be under-represented in this data. The reliance on administrative data is inadequate to capture accurate information about the population, particularly in regard to communities who may have lower engagement with government agencies. Administrative data provides insight into access to supports rather than actual need for support. With the recent changes to the Emergency Housing Special Needs Grant eligibility criteria many of our member organisations raised concerns regarding an increase in people reporting that when attempting to make appointments with Work and Income for Emergency Housing appointments they were advised they would not be eligible. When no appointment is made, these enquiries are not reflected in the figures regarding need for housing support. This is only one example which highlights one significant issue in the way administrative data is collected.
Additionally, because administrative data only captures engagement with services the data collected will depend on the availability of supports. With the example of Emergency Housing Special Needs Grants, when the eligibility criteria recently changed, it was not just the number of declines that increased, but also the number of applications (MSD, 2025). Findings from the New Zealand Income Support Survey indicate that people are less likely to apply for support services they don’t believe they are eligible for (MSD, 2022), which is supported by reports from our membership of people not applying for Emergency Housing Special Needs Grants despite needing housing support due to a perception that they would be declined. Administrative data can be reflective of the policy of the day, and further self-reporting and qualitative data is needed for a fuller more accurate understanding.
In addition to a need for vast improvements in the collection of administrative data, the reliance on this form of data collection also raises concerns regarding data sovereignty. The use and linkage of administrative data by Stats NZ requires no informed consent by those utilising the government agencies who collect the data, raising very real concerns around data ethics. Stats NZ highlight the implementation of tailored solutions for some communities at risk of being under-represented in data collection. In regard to people experiencing homelessness an approach for this is to increase administrative data collection by working with social service providers. There is a potential for this to damage the trust that people seeking help have with these support organisations if they perceive their data is being misappropriated, posing a real risk of individuals no longer interacting with these services. This may leave many in need without adequate support. Additionally, the current administrative data collection practices raise concerns around the social licence and cultural licence of organisations who provide and match administrative data. Significant improvements to how administrative data are collected, managed and used are needed to ensure that these align with the principles of Māori data Sovereignty published by Te Mana Raraunga (Te Mana Raraunga, 2018), with Māori at the forefront of decision making in this space.
Ministry of Social Development (MSD). (2022). Summary of key findings from the 2022 New Zealand Income Support Survey. https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/income-support-survey/summary-of-key-findings-from-the-2022-new-zealand-income-support-survey.pdf
Ministry of Social Development (MSD). (2025, June 24). Emergency Housing applications processed during the period 1 June 2019 to 31 May 2025. [Spreadsheet file; Data provided in response to an OIA request]. https://msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/official-information-responses/2025/june/24062025-emergency-housing-grants-and-declines-broken-down-by-month-and-reason-from-30-may-2019-to-2025-data.xlsx
Stewart, I. (May 2024). Census set for major changes: What this means for you. 1 News. https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/28/census-set-for-major-changes-what-this-means-for-you/
Te Mana Raraunga. (2018). Principles of Māori Data Sovereignty: Brief #1, October 2018. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58e9b10f9de4bb8d1fb5ebbc/t/5bda208b4ae237cd89ee16e9/1541021836126/TMR+Ma%CC%84ori+Data+Sovereignty+Principles+Oct+2018.pdf
Consultation question 2.
We’ve identified specific communities to work with and some examples of what tailored solutions could include.
Do you have any suggestions about how Stats NZ could work with communities to design and deliver tailored solutions?
This includes: iwi Māori, Pacific peoples, LGBTIQ+, disabled, and ethnic communities, and transient and homeless populations. Focus population until 2030
We strongly recommend that these communities and any others that are at risk of being underrepresented in data collection remain a focus beyond 2030. Although the transition to the new model increases concerns regarding under-representation in the data, this is likely to be ongoing, and it is essential that they remain a priority. Stats NZ should continue to seek advice and guidance from organisations that work with these communities as well as the communities themselves to ensure that updates to the census model are reflective of their needs and ensure they are represented in the data.
We note that there has been consistent strong opposition from organisations working with these communities regarding the proposed census changes, however, despite this opposition there has been little change to the proposed census plan to date (Science Media Centre, June 2025; Stats NZ, 2025a; Stats NZ, 2025b). We strongly recommend that Stats NZ use feedback from experts and people with lived experience to design the census both in the initial process and any future updates that are needed, to ensure that data collected is actually useable.
Science Media (June 2025). Nationwide census scrapped – Expert Reaction. https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2025/06/18/nationwide-census-scrapped-expert-reaction/
Stats NZ (2025a). Modernising our approach to the 2028 Census: Summary of submissions. Retrieved from www.stats.govt.nz.
Stats NZ (2025). Response to the Future Census Independent Evaluation Panel report: Evaluation of New Zealand’s future census options for 2028 and beyond. https://www.stats.govt.nz/assets/Reports/Evaluation-of-New-Zealands-future-census-options-for-2028-and-beyond/Response-to-the-Future-Census-Independent-Evaluation-Panel-Report-Evaluation-of-New-Zealands-future-census-options-for-2028-and-beyond.pdf
Consultation question 3: Māori descent
Do you have any feedback about how we plan to collect information on Māori descent for the next census?
The consultation document states that Stats NZ are “actively working with our iwi Māori partners on the solutions for collecting and producing Māori descent information”. However, there is no detailed information regarding what these solutions look like and extent of consultation with iwi Māori partners is. Confirmation on if advice being sought from smaller iwi, hapu and other Māori-led organisations to ensure that data collection practices will work for them is critical.
Do you have suggestions about how Māori descent information could be improved for the next census?
We support any decision making in this space being led by Māori to ensure Rangatiratanga and that Māori are represented in data collection. We support changes in census design which does not disadvantage Māori or negatively impact Waitangi Tribunal or Land Court decisions.
Consultation question 4: Iwi affiliation
Do you have any feedback about how we plan to collect information on iwi affiliation for the next census?
Following the 2023 census it was reported that iwi affiliated population counts had increased on average 46.3% since 2013. This significant increase was as a result not just of actual increases in population size, but as a direct result of iwi-Māori having an enhanced role in decision making including changes to question design and increased response rates (Te Kāhui Raraunga, Sept 2024). The proposed changes to the census risk undoing progress made in this space and the developing trust in the census process among Māori.
The consultation document states that only iwi groups larger than 10,000-18,000 members will be represented in the data collection under the new census model in 2030. By 2035 this will expand to iwi with 5,000-9,000 members. Based on the population counts from the 2023 census, of the 139 ‘fully coded iwi’ categories (Stats NZ, 2025) only 18 would be large enough to be represented in the annual survey data. By 2035, despite the proposed improvement over time, this would only equate to an additional 18 iwi being represented in annual survey data. Stats NZ estimated that Census 2023 provided roughly $2.4 billion in benefit to Māori, the proposed changes will significantly reduce this benefit (Perese, May 2024).
Perese, D. (May 2024). Māori data in 2023 Census worth $2.4 billion in investments. Te Ao Māori News. https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/05/29/maori-in-data-in-2023-census-worth-24-billion-in-investments/
Stats NZ. (2025). Māori and iwi population concepts in the 2023 Census. https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/maori-and-iwi-population-concepts-in-the-2023-census/
Te Kāhui Raraunga. (Sept 2024). New data provides more accurate insights for iwi than ever before. https://www.kahuiraraunga.io/panui/new-data-provides-more-accurate-insights-for-iwi-than-ever-before
Do you have any suggestions for how we could better represent smaller iwi for the next census?
We strongly oppose changes to the census design which risk reducing the quality of data collected and reiterate concerns regarding Māori data sovereignty if any tailored solutions are to be based on administrative data use.
We support census design which has iwi-Māori at the forefront of decision making to ensure that smaller iwi, hapu and other Māori-led organisations are included in data collection.
Consultation question 5: LGBTIQ+ communities
Do you have any feedback about how we plan to collect information on sexual identity, variations of sex characteristics, gender, cisgender and transgender status, and the rainbow/LGBTIQ+ population for the next census?
The 2023 census was the first census to collect data on gender identify and sexual orientation. The findings from this census provided invaluable data for researchers working in this area, as well as raising awareness and understanding of the experiences of the LGBTIQ+ population in Aotearoa (Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission, 2025).
We strongly support the continued inclusion of questions to determine gender identity and sexual orientation. We raise concerns regarding the impacts of the proposed census changes on the value of data for LGBTIQ+ communities and research, in particular where it comes to assessing sub-groups such as those experiencing homelessness and housing deprivation which are both experienced at greater levels in LGBTIQ+ communities (Housing First Auckland, 2022).
Housing First Auckland. (2022). Housing First Web Series: Homelessness within the Rainbow community. https://www.housingfirst.co.nz/whats-happening/housing-first-web-series-3/
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission. (2025). Invaluable census data details discrimination experienced by LGBTIQ+ New Zealanders. https://tikatangata.org.nz/news/invaluable-census-data-details-discrimination-experienced-by-lgbtiq-new-zealanders
Do you have suggestions about how LGBTIQ+ information could be improved to better reflect your community or lived experience?
We strongly recommend the continued involvement of Rainbow organisations in decision-making when it comes to tailoring approaches to ensure these communities are not under-represented in the data.
Consultation question 6: Ethnicity data
Do you have any feedback about how we plan to collect information on ethnicity for the next census?
Do you have suggestions about how ethnicity information could be improved to better reflect your community or lived experience?
As mentioned in the discussion document for this consultation, ethnicity data collected through administrative data sources is inconsistent and often does not provide sufficient detail of level 4 ethnicity. This inability of administrative data to provide a clear picture of ethnicity is a significant problem which needs to be addressed prior to a census change which increases reliance on this data.
Additionally, given the relatively low number of people who will be included in the annual survey it appears unlikely that there will be significant improvements in their representation over time. The under-representation, even if it is short-lived, will result in significant gaps in data collection which may affect amongst other things, Government decisions making and risks negatively impacting these groups.
Consultation question 7: Data about housing deprivation and homelessness
Do you have any feedback about how we could measure housing deprivation and homelessness for the next census?
People experiencing homelessness are historically under-represented both in census and administrative data. The number of people experiencing homelessness has increased, with it recently estimated that 1 in every 1,000 people in Aotearoa currently have no shelter (The Salvation Army NZFTS, 2025). This rise in people experiencing homelessness increases the need for robust data collection in this space. The proposed census change significantly risks increasing under-representation of this already under-represented population in data collection. Lack of data regarding housing deprivation, such as in those using unconventional or ‘temporary’ shelter like caravans or campgrounds may make it difficult for homelessness to be defined, and therefore addressed, in Aotearoa.
The consultation document mentions options to improve this data collection but provides no real insight into what these approaches will look like. For example, when ‘sourcing relevant admin data’ it is unclear what new data this will provide and how this will be collected.
Social service providers are more prevalent in urban areas where people experiencing homelessness are most visible and as such these areas are likely to contribute most towards administrative data collection (New Zealand Coalition to End Homelessness, 2009). It is unclear from the consultation document how data collection in rural regions will be improved to ensure that there is a clear picture of where support services are needed.
New Zealand Coalition to End Homelessness. (2009). Homelessness in Aotearoa: Issues and Recommendations. https://cdn-assets-cloud.aucklandcitymission.org.nz/acm/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/16104159/homelessness_in_aotearoa.pdf
The Salvation Army NZFTS. (2025). New Data Highlights Urgent Need for A Coordinated Response to Homelessness Across the Nation. https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/news/new-data-highlights-urgent-need-for-a-coordinated-response-to-homelessness-across-the-nation/
Do you have any suggestions for how we could better reach or represent people experiencing housing deprivation/homelessness?
We strongly support Stats NZ working directly with social service providers, as well as organisations including Community Housing Aotearoa, Housing First and the Women’s Coalition to End Homelessness, as well as individuals with lived experience to ensure that the census design is fit for purpose.
Consultation question 8: Data about the disabled population
Do you have any feedback about how we plan to collect information about the disabled population for the next census?
The 2023 Household disability survey estimated that in 2023 17% of New Zealand’s population were disabled (Stats NZ, 2025a). Despite representing almost a fifth of the population, there is very limited data provided on disability through administrative data (Stats NZ, 2025b). The proposed move away from the traditional census risks significantly reducing available data on disability. We strongly support increasing the frequency in which the Household Disability Survey is conducted.
Stats NZ. (2025a). Household Disability Survey 2023 – findings, definitions, and design summary. https://www.stats.govt.nz/reports/household-disability-survey-2023-findings-definitions-and-design-summary/
Stats NZ. (2025b). Regulatory Impact Statement: Modernising the census. https://www.regulation.govt.nz/assets/RIS-Documents/Regulatory-Impact-Statement-Modernising-the-census.pdf
Do you have any suggestions for how information about the disabled population could be improved to better reflect your community or lived experience?
We encourage the on-going consultation with disability advocates and disabled people to ensure that changes to the census and administrative data collection ensure that disabled people are not under-represented.
Consultation question 9: Quality of life indicators
If we collect quality of life indicators information in the census, at minimum we would ask about life satisfaction.
Do you have any feedback about this data being collected?
We support the collection of quality-of-life indicators as part of the census including specifically asking about life satisfaction. Although a subjective measure, quality-of-life indicators are reported by most OECD countries and provide an opportunity for an international comparator of wellbeing (OECD, 2024). Incorporating quality-of-life indicators into the census would allow for a broader indication of wellbeing in Aotearoa. Changing to annual collection of this data would allow for a clearer assessment of the impacts of macro-environmental changes (like policy change) on wellbeing.
OECD. (2024). Society at a Glance 2024: OECD Social Indicators. OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/918d8db3-en.
We are seeking feedback on whether there is a need to collect additional quality of life indicators.
What would you use this data for that can’t be met with life satisfaction information? Do you need information about self-rated general health?
Although correlated, self-rated general health is not a direct predictor of life satisfaction (Bramhankar et al., 2023). We support the inclusion of indicators of self-rated general health in addition to life satisfaction. The findings from this could be used in part to assess perception of adequacy of access to health services.
Bramhankar, M., Kundu, S., Pandey, M., Mishra, N.L., & Adarsh, A. (2023). An assessment of self-rated life satisfaction and its correlates with physical, mental and social health status among older adults in India. Sci Rep, 13(1):9117. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-36041-3. PMID: 37277415; PMCID: PMC10241830.
What would you use this data for that can’t be met with life satisfaction information?
If it is not possible to have all these measures, which would be most useful and why?
We raise some concern with the inclusion of the sense of purpose question. Inclusion of this is in line with recommendations regarding measuring subjective wellbeing and provides an important measure of mental-health which could be valuable for data collection in Aotearoa. However, questions in this area are usually asked as part of an interview, like they are done for the General Social Survey (GSS) (Stats NZ, 2025), which allows for clarification of the meaning of questions. The OECD guidelines on measuring subjective wellbeing highlight the importance of the wording of the question to ensure that it cannot be interpreted as asking if the respondent’s life is worth living (OECD, 2025). Given that many of the respondents for the annual survey will be doing this online, it is essential to ensure that there is minimal risk of misinterpretation of this question. If this is not possible to achieve we feel it would be best to exclude this question.
Note that although the addition of such measures has the potential to provide beneficial data to researchers and policy makers, this data would be significantly more beneficial if incorporated into a traditional census format as it would allow for better assessment of services at a more granular level
OECD. (2025). OECD Guidelines on Measuring Subjective Well-being (2025 Update), OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9203632a-en.
Stats NZ. 2025. About the General Social Survey. https://www.stats.govt.nz/help-with-surveys/list-of-stats-nz-surveys/about-the-general-social-survey/
Consultation question 10: Income amount by income source
Do you need information about income amount by income source?
Do you have any feedback about this data being collected?
While we welcome the inclusion of data on income amount by income source, the consultation document provides little clarity regarding the detail that would be provided in response to this question. This data has the potential to provide a greater understanding of well distribution income inadequacy in Aotearoa.
Consultation question 11: Floor area
Do you need information about the floor area of a dwelling?
Do you have any feedback about this data being collected?
While we appreciate that in an ideal world the addition of this data may provide some insight into housing in Aotearoa, in reality it is unlikely that households which are not owner-occupied properties will have accurate answer to these questions. We feel the reasons for excluding these questions in the 2023 regarding data quality issues still stand. It is likely that numbers provided would be estimates or values provided from property valuation sites or existing records.
Consultation question 12: Age of dwelling
Do you need information about the age of a dwelling?
Do you have any feedback about this data being collected?
Response the same for question 11
Consultation question 13: Dwelling coldness
Do you need information about dwellings being colder than people would like in winter?
What would you use this data for? Do you have any feedback about this data being collected?
Data regarding coldness of dwellings is really important as it provides insight into the quality of housing in Aotearoa, particularly in terms of comparing rental and owner-occupied housing and assessing the eligibility for initiatives to improve housing quality using the deprivation index (for Warmer Kiwi Homes, Healthy Homes, Pacific Healthy Homes etc.) (Beukes et al, 2024; EECA, 2023; EECA, 2025). The inclusion of a response options for people who have not spent a winter in that dwelling, like is done in the General Social Survey (GSS) is also supported.
Beukes, C., Tkatch, M., Pierse, N., Chun, S., Brennan, A., Anderson, A., & Brown, R. (2024). Substandard South Auckland housing: findings from a healthy homes initiative temperature study. Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 19(2), 152–163. https://doi.org/10.1080/1177083X.2023.2252038
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA). (July 2023). Official Information Act Request – Warmer Kiwi Homes Deprivation Zones. https://fyi.org.nz/request/23364/response/88265/attach/5/FINAL%20Letter%20to%20Requestor%20Cody%20C.pdf
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA). (2025). Warmer Kiwi Homes. https://www.eeca.govt.nz/co-funding-and-support/products/warmer-kiwi-homes-programme/information/
Consultation question 14: Cigarette smoking behaviour
Do you need information about electronic cigarette (vape) use?
Do you have any feedback about this data being collected?
We support the inclusion of information about electronic cigarettes (vapes) being collected as part of the census. The prevalence of daily vaping increased from 9.7% in 2022/23 to 11.1% in 2023/24 in addition to a small increase in daily smoking in the same time period (from 6.8% to 6.9%) (Ministry of Health, 2025a).
Vaping is also prevalent in children under 15 years of age, with it reported as a problem by many primary and intermediate schools in recent years (Borissenko, Feb 2024). Policy changes were introduced in 2024 and 2025 aimed at reducing vaping in people under 18 (Ministry of Health, 2025b), however, there is currently little data regarding the extent of the problem or the impact of these policy changes. Data on smoking has historically only been collected in children over 15 as part of the census, however, we would support questions regarding smoking and vaping being extended to children 14 and under. Although parents assist in completely surveys in children under 15, vaping appears to be an issue that many parents are aware of in their children (Wiggins, June 2021). The inclusion of this question to younger children albeit likely an undercount of the extent of the problem, would provide greater insight into the extent of the problem.
Borissenko, S. (Feb 2024). ‘Kids are doing this everywhere’: New Zealand wrestles with rise of primary school vaping. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/28/new-zealand-vaping-primary-school-students-nz-vapes-children
Ministry of Health. (2025a). Trends in smoking and vaping: New Zealand Health Survey 2023/24. https://www.health.govt.nz/statistics-research/surveys/new-zealand-health-survey/publications/202324-survey-publications/trends-in-smoking-and-vaping
Ministry of Health. (2025b). Recent changes to Smokefree laws. https://www.health.govt.nz/regulation-legislation/vaping-herbal-smoking-and-smokeless-tobacco/requirements/recent-changes-to-smokefree-laws
Wiggins, A. (June 2021). Teens vaping a problem for almost half of central Auckland primary and intermediate schools. The New Zealand Herald. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/teens-vaping-a-problem-for-almost-half-of-central-auckland-primary-and-intermediate-schools/
Consultation question 15: Access to telecommunication systems
What do you currently use household level cellphone access data for?
Do you need cellphone access information for households only, individuals only, or both households and individuals?
Should cellphone access for individuals be asked of people aged five years and over, or 15 years and over?
We support the inclusion of information around cellphone use being asked of people under 15 years of age given that children generally acquire a cellphone between 7-14 in New Zealand (Ostwind, 2025). However, a 2023 report carried out in the UK indicating that 20% of 3-year-olds own a cellphone suggest that it may be prudent to not set a minimum age for this question (Phippen, November 2023).
Ostwind, D. (2025). Mobile phones for kids? Keep it simple. Smartphone Free Childhood New Zealand. https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.co.nz/post/mobile-phones-for-kids-keep-it-simple
Phippen, A. (November 2023). When to give your child their first mobile phone – and how to keep them safe. The New Zealand Herald. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/when-to-give-your-child-their-first-mobile-phone-and-how-to-keep-them-safe/
Do you have any feedback about this data being collected?
We support the collection of information on access to a cellphone at an individual level as we agree that this fits better with how these devices are usually operated.
Consultation question 16: Main means of travel to work and workplace address
Is the information we collected in the 2023 Census about working from home at a suitable level of detail for transport planning needs, or do we need a different approach?
Do you have any feedback about this data being collected?
We support this approach.
Consultation question 17: Number of rooms
What additional types of rooms would you like included in the count of number of rooms?
Would adding additional types of rooms, such as bathrooms and toilets, impact your use of the count of number of rooms?
Do you have any feedback about this data being collected?
We would support the inclusion of a breakdown of room types to determine the relationship between the number of bedrooms compared to facilities such as kitchen and bathrooms. Without a change in how total number of rooms are reported it is unclear that including bathrooms and toilets in the count would provide significant benefit and may limit comparisons with past census data.
Consultation question 18: Content determination framework
Do you have any feedback on the content determination framework guiding questions?
The content determination framework appears to be a good assessment tool for determining what questions should be included in the census.
Additionally, we would support the use of a similar framework for guiding the method of delivery for the new census design. When applied to the delivery approach it appears that the proposed census in its current rendition may not meet many of the requirements of this framework, including but not limited to:
- Will the information support New Zealand’s key uses of data?
- Does the proposed change support data aspirations of whānau, hapū, iwi, and other Māori collectives?
- Will the census provide data of enough depth?
- Is there continuity with previous census data?
Consultation question 20:
We’re keen to understand what would make the population and social statistics system more useful, inclusive, and future-focused.
Are there particular data needs, gaps, or opportunities you think Stats NZ should consider?
The proposed changes to the census risk creating significant data gaps. It is unclear how Stats NZ aims to ensure continuity of data, particularly given the groups already identified as likely to be under-represented. It is likely there will be additional unforeseen and detrimental outcomes of the change in method for data collection.
The consultation document highlights the new census as an opportunity for a ‘stronger and more resilient data system’. However, a number of the challenges raised are significant and the document lacks clarity regarding how these will be managed, stating on that “over time, improvements in admin data, survey design, and new statistical methods will help address this”. We recommend that these are steps that should be taken prior to implementing any change in census design.
Introducing this new approach alongside the traditional census would have allowed for validation of the new census through comparison of the two approaches and ensure that there is adequate data collection both through administrative data and the new census survey and that the proposed number of people to be surveyed is sufficient. The abrupt discontinuation of the traditional census risks losing a snapshot of Aotearoa’s history and has significant implications for population-based research as well as for individuals wanting to assess historical changes or look back at their own history.
There are significant gaps in administrative data, and the quality of this data has been highlighted by Stats NZ as a challenge of the new model, despite there being no detail regarding how this is proposed to be addressed (Stats NZ, 2024). Relying primarily on administrative data risks significantly reduce the Government’s ability to accurately allocate resources or understand impact of policy change and need.
Stats NZ (2024). Technical feasibility: Measuring population and dwellings using administrative data. https://www.stats.govt.nz/research/technical-feasibility-measuring-population-and-dwellings-using-administrative-data
Consultation question 21:
Are there ways that you use Stats NZ data that you want to tell us about?
We note that social service providers often use census data for problem determination, to target services and support funding bids. Without adequate data it will be difficult to tailor or fund support services with requirements often varying considerably between and within regions.
Our membership has raised concerns regarding the reduction in quality data at a granular level and the significant time delay for data to be available for small communities, with a risk that some smaller cohorts may be missed from the data entirely. This may have a significant impact on the services they provide and how these are funded. The proposed sample size of 60,000 households in each annual survey is inadequate to accurately capture data on smaller communities or assess changes over time. Although we acknowledge that some of these cohorts, like those experiencing homelessness may already be under-represented in census statistics, there is significant risk that this will worsen using an administrative data-led population count as these cohorts often have less engagement with government agencies or organisations who collect this data (Stewart, May 2024). The ability to get down to mesh block level within the census results is incredibly valuable to social service organisations, particularly those supporting smaller communities. It is unclear from the consultation document how the 60,000 households for the annual survey will be selected and how Stats NZ will ensure data anonymity at a granular level for small regions and ensure that there is adequate data in these regions to be beneficial. There are concerns regarding how improvements in these small regions will be assessed given the low number of households surveyed.
Consultation question 22:
Is there anything else you want to say or share with us?
We strongly oppose the move away from a traditional census. Advice to the government from experts, including the expert advisory panel convened by Stats NZ (Stats NZ, 2025) highlights the significant gaps in existing administrative data and concerns regarding the quality of data that will be collected using the proposed approach. We note that countries like Italy who use a similar approach have much more robust register-based data collection and their annual survey encompasses a much greater percentage of the population at 5% of households per year (Stats NZ, nd).
Additionally, Stats NZ state that the move away from the traditional census is a result of inadequate funding for this format of census to run in future years. However, there is lack of consideration for the economic benefit which significantly outweighs the cost, with the 2023 census costing approximately $319.6 million but returning an estimated $2.8 billion in value (Jack & Bowlby, 2024). There are no estimates provided on how the change in approach may impact this estimated value.
The lack of detail provided in this consultation document raises concerns regarding the timeframe to improve administrative data and have tailored approaches ready, considering data collection for the annual survey is proposed to start in 2027. We strongly recommend that Stats NZ follow the recommendation of the Future Census Independent Evaluation Panel to run a full-field enumeration census in 2028, with consideration of an alternative census format from 2033 (Stats NZ, 2025). This would allow for more time to improve administrative data collection and ensure that tailored solutions can be properly designed for communities at risk of being under-represented in the data. Additionally, increasing the timeframe for this proposal would allow increased transparency to the public regarding how administrative data is collected and used to help build trust in the new model before it is implemented (Stats NZ, 2024).
Jack, M. & Bowlby, G. (2024). Report of the Statutory Review of New Zealand’s 2023 Census. Wellington, New Zealand ISBN 978-1-99-104973-5. https://www.stats.govt.nz/assets/Reports/Report-of-the-Statutory-Review-of-New-Zealands-2023-Census/report-of-the-statutory-review-of-new-zealands-2023-census.pdf
Stats NZ (2024). Technical feasibility: Measuring population and dwellings using administrative data. https://www.stats.govt.nz/research/technical-feasibility-measuring-population-and-dwellings-using-administrative-data
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