March 01, 2023
Late but live data better for cyclone census
Associate Minister of Statistics Meka Whaitiri says using administrative data should be ‘the last cab off the rank’ to bolster Māori data for this year’s census.
Stats NZ has been given another eight weeks to complete the census in cyclone-ravaged areas of Te Tai Tokerau, Te Matau ā Maui Hawkes Bay and Te Tai Rāwhiti.
In the 2018 census, the response rate from Māori was so low the department was forced to collect data from other government agencies so it could develop estimates of population.
Ms Whaitiri says accurate data is needed to inform policy development and funding decisions.
For the rest of the country the Census will be held next Tuesday, March 7.