New Zealand Census 2023

This week was Census Day in New Zealand on Tuesday 7 March. Every person who is in Aotearoa New Zealand on the night of Tuesday 7 March 2023 must take part in the 2023 Census. Stats NZ started delivering census forms and instructions in February 2023. People were also able to do the census online or on paper, in English or te reo Māori.

The following are online notices and updates regarding the 2023 Census and those impacted by TC Gabrielle.

• Census Collectors began visiting households on 13 February 2023.
• Posted census packs began arriving in letterboxes on 21 February 2023.

Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. Working alongside affected communities, we are working to give people the time, space, and support they need to take part. More details on this will be with you soon.

If you have not got your census pack by the start of March, please contact us.

I thought it was interesting that the census still went ahead due to the massive damage to so many communities from TC Gabrielle. How did they deliver all of

the census papers with many areas still cut off with road and bridge storm damage. Some areas still do not have power, and as so many are still cleaning up, I imagine their mail boxes were washed away and homes surrounded in mud.

On 22 February 2011 an Earthquake hit Christchurch and the Census was due on the 8 March 2011 and that census was postponed until March 2013.

I checked out a few details relating to the history of the New Zealand Census.

New Zealand census - Wikipedia

History

The first full census in New Zealand was conducted in 1851, and the census was triennial until 1881, at which time it became five-yearly. The 1931 census was cancelled due to the effects of the Great Depression, as was the 1941 census due to World War II. The 1946 census was brought forward to Tuesday 25 September 1945, so that the results could be used for an electoral redistribution (the first for ten years) before the 1946 election.

1951 was the first year in which Māori and European New Zealanders were treated equally, with European New Zealanders having had a different census form in previous years and separate censuses in the nineteenth century. Results for those censuses before 1966 have been destroyed with a few exceptions and those since will not be available before 2066.

The 2006 census was held on Tuesday, 7 March. For the first time, respondents had the option of completing their census form online rather than by a printed form.

The 2011 census was scheduled for Tuesday, 8 March. However, due to the Christchurch earthquake on 22 February 2011, it was cancelled. For the first time ever, all 2011 census forms would have been digitally archived. On 27 May 2011 Statistics New Zealand announced that a census would take place in March 2013. The legislation required to change the census date was introduced to Parliament in August 2011.

The 2013 census was held on Tuesday 5 March 2013 and the 2018 census was held on Tuesday 6 March 2018. The 2018 census faced wide criticism for low response rates, a poor rollout of the online component of the census and delays. This resulted in a independent review of the census process, and the resignation of the then-Chief Executive of Statistics New Zealand Liz MacPherson.

The 2023 census is currently scheduled for Tuesday, 7 March, and it will be implementing measures that aim to increase the Census' effectiveness in response to the issues faced with the 2018 census, including supporting Māori to complete the census. It will also include new questions on topics such as gender, sexual identity, and disabilities/health conditions. However, it may be delayed due to the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle.

It will be interesting to see how many people complete their 2023 census forms in New Zealand. I wonder what the population of New Zealand will be and if the age groups percentage have changed as the baby boomers get older.

I expect it will be a year or so before data is published.

Betty Matthews

March 2023