March 07, 2026

#election2026: Public invited to have say on proposed census and electorate law changes

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 7, 2026

New Zealanders are being encouraged to have their say on two pieces of legislation that could reshape how population data is collected and how electoral boundaries are reviewed in the future.

The Justice Select Committee has opened submissions on the Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill and the Electoral (District Boundaries) Amendment Bill, with public feedback open until 15 April.

The proposed changes follow the Government’s push to modernise the way census information is gathered and used across Aotearoa. Under the Census Amendment Bill, the country would move away from the traditional five-yearly census model to a more flexible system using a combination of administrative government data and smaller targeted surveys.

Officials say the shift is aimed at delivering more timely and accurate population information, particularly as response rates to the traditional census have declined and the cost of running large nationwide surveys has increased. The proposed system would see an annual census-style data update beginning in 2030, providing more regular insights into the country’s population and social trends.

Changes to the census framework would also affect how electoral boundaries are reviewed, prompting the companion Electoral (District Boundaries) Amendment Bill. That legislation would alter the timing of electorate boundary reviews so they are no longer tied directly to each census cycle.

Instead, boundary reviews would take place after every second general election, creating a more predictable review schedule while still ensuring electorates reflect population shifts over time.

Both bills recently passed their first reading in Parliament and were referred to the Justice Committee for detailed scrutiny before returning to the House later this year.

Select committee chairpersons say public submissions are an important part of the parliamentary process, giving individuals, organisations and communities an opportunity to influence legislation before it becomes law.

For Māori communities and iwi organisations, census data and electoral boundaries have long carried particular significance, shaping representation, funding allocation and planning decisions across health, education and housing.

Submissions can be made online through the New Zealand Parliament website, with the Justice Committee expected to report back on the bills later in 2026.

If adopted, the reforms would mark one of the biggest changes to New Zealand’s census and electoral infrastructure in decades, potentially altering how demographic data is gathered and how political representation is structured across the country.