Census NZ 2023

2023 - 2 - 28

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Confusion as households receive two census letters (Stuff.co.nz)

As the census kicks off, there has been confusion as households receive a second letter with a second code to complete their census forms.

* A Stats NZ spokesperson said Stats NZ had processes for confirming duplicate entries for a household, and to ensure data from the census was the best quality possible. Households that received two letters with different census codes were advised to use one code and dispose of the other. [Stuff](https://www.stuff.co.nz/) to say they received two letters in the mail for [this year’s census](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/131046949/cheat-sheet-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2023-census), each with a different unique code allowing them to participate in the online survey. [One in seven failed to complete Census 2018, a back down from Govt Statistician reveals](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/111921805/one-in-seven-failed-to-complete-census-2018-a-back-down-from-govt-statistician-reveals?rm=a) [ census kicks off around the country](http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/131285905/census-begins-for-threequarters-of-new-zealand), there has been confusion as households receive a second letter with a second code to complete their census forms.

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Image courtesy of "The Spinoff"

Making sense of the 2023 census (The Spinoff)

Censuses are different from any other kind of survey in that they attempt to gather data about everyone in a population, whether you live in Whakatāne or ...

To get a sense of what kinds of information will be available, you can see some of the results of the 2018 census [here](https://www.stats.govt.nz/2018-census#info). [combined census](https://www.stats.govt.nz/topics/using-a-combined-census-model-for-the-2023-census)”, which means that information gathered through the census is merged with other data sources, like birth and death records, and information from past censuses to help fill in potential gaps in information. Data gathered by the census is linked to data held by other government agencies, like the ministries of justice and transport, to make it richer and more useful. The 2023 census is a “ Every household has been given a census code for completing the census online, and 44% of households have been given paper forms as well, compared to 3% in 2018. Māori have been given a stronger voice and more choices in the development of the census engagement programme. “Māori and iwi-led collections will play a crucial role in ensuring the 2023 census delivers increased response rates for Māori… If the 2023 census shows an increase in the population in Henderson, for instance, then the government might use that information to pay for extra classrooms and teachers to be added to a school. Due, in part, to underfunding, the government took a [digital-first approach](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/421792/stats-nz-advised-risk-2023-census-option-would-produce-very-poor-quality-data), meaning that thousands of people who weren’t familiar with the technology weren’t counted, especially Māori and Pasifika. People in non-permanent locations, ie camping in a camping ground, will need to fill out the form delivered to that location. [Data and Census Act 2022](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2022/0039/latest/LMS418574.html) requires that everyone in New Zealand on census day fills out the census. At its most basic level, the census merely counts the number of people who live somewhere, but most states take the opportunity to gather other demographic data too, such as about languages spoken, income levels, household size and ethnicity.

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Image courtesy of "Newshub"

What to do if you receive two Census letters (Newshub)

Stats New Zealand says the second letter some Kiwis would've received is not an error.

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Throwing the kitchen sink at Census 2023 for Marlborough's best ... (Stuff.co.nz)

Joe Asiata reckons the Pasifika community is growing rapidly, but he doesn't have the numbers to back that up – yet.

So our purpose is to encourage our people to fill out their forms and let them know the reasoning behind it,” Asiata said. “Information, it informs us, our communities, and the needs and the direction we should address those needs. Asiata said Stats NZ would be at community events in Marlborough over the next two months to spread awareness and help people to fill out their forms, including the Seniors' Expo at Marlborough Events Centre in Blenheim on Census Day, March 7. “More investment has been made in the 2023 census, compared to the 2018 census, to make it easier for people to participate, and to provide additional support for population groups who have historically had lower response rates and/or experienced barriers to participating in the census.” Census data was used to allocate public funding and provide services, so it was important that people knew how large the Pasifika population was in Marlborough, Asiata said. “One thing we know for sure is that the population of Pasifika and Māori is rapidly growing in the Marlborough region, but that’s not showing up on our database,” Asiata said.

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