November 18, 2022
Motivator tapped to boost census engagement
South Auckland community activist Dave Letele says he’s looking forward to being an advocate for the 2023 census.
The Brown Buttabean was shoulder-tapped for the job because of his high profile and the trust he has developed in his community through his exercise and motivation programmes and his foodbank.
Statistics New Zealand wants to avoid the debacle of the 2018 “digital” census – when it’s estimate almost a third of Māori and Pasifika weren’t counted..
Getting accurate data will be crucial for Maori and Pacifica communities.
“You know I think about the bark and rubber analogy I have. You know, why’s our playgrounds have bark, and all the nice areas have got really nice rubber, beatiful water features – all these types of things,” Me Letele says.
Dave Letele says 3-and-half-thousand census workers will be needed, and he’s encouraging Maori and Pacifica to apply – to help raise community acceptance and engagement levels.