November 10, 2021
Māori input needed for Stats Act rewrite
Māori wanting a chance to change the way data is collected and used can have their say on a replacement for the 46-year-old Statistics Act.
The Data and Statistics Bill had its first reading today and was sent to the governance and administration select committee.
Statistics Minister David Clark says there is no reference to data in the current Act, it lacks the flexibility to respond to advances in digital technology and it fails adapt to changing information needs and sources.
As well as measures around data protection and privacy, the Bill aims to ensure government engages with Māori, including iwi and hapū, and provides relevant, reliable, and accessible data that reflects Māori interests.
It will also support data sharing across government, so New Zealanders don’t have to provide the same information more than once.
Dr Clark says the new law needs to be in place before Census 2023.