October 30, 2023
Iwi bring the numbers to Census
The success of three trial iwi census data collection programmes has sparked calls for the government to expand it nationwide.
Te Mana Whakatipu spokesperson Rahui Papa says the initiative in Te Tai Tokerau, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui., and Te Tairāwhiti was a huge success in all three regions.
In Te Whānau-ā-Apanui the response rate was 92 percent compared with less than 60 percent in the 2018 census … and it was locals collecting information from locals that made all the difference.
“When people from that actual community went to do it, it was just like having a chat around the kitchen table. And a lot of feedback that we’ve got, people felt that they were more trustworthy because they knew the people in their community,” he says.
Data collected from all three areas will be collated and presented to iwi to help them develop plans for housing, healthcare and other priorities.