May 02, 2023
Whanau Ora called in for final census push
Stats NZ is working with Whanau Ora as it tries to increase the Māori participation rate in the final days of the census.
The cut-off date for most people to return their forms is tomorrow, but staff will remain on the ground in cyclone-affection regions of Tairawhiti, Hawke’s Bay and the far north until June 1.
Atawhai Tibble, Stats NZ’s Te Ao Maori Census 23 director, about 7 in 10 Maori have responded – well short of the 90 percent target.
He says whanau ora providers are giving extra assistance, especially in Auckland, but there are similar problems to Covid in that people don’t believe the information they see in television or social media advertisements.
“A lot of distrust or not too sure if the government is on the right kuapapa. It would range from everything from ‘totally don’t believe you,’ to ‘aww – I don’t know about that.’ It’s quite a big job to beat this disinformation out there and encourage people and give them good examples about why this is a good thing,” Mr Tibble says.
He says government agencies, iwi and business need census data so they can plan what services are needed.