Join us to share whakaaro and kōrero (thoughts and discussion) about the modernising of the Census - strengths, challenges and opportunities - and responses to the call for submissions by StatsNZ regarding its proposed content and data collection approach. The new admin-data-first census model has three elements: Use of administrative data, a new annual sample survey (Census Attribute Survey), and tailored solutions.

The aim of this awheawhe is to identify key/common features that can be included in a submission about the StatsNZ Modernising the census approach and how it can meet the needs of ethnically diverse communities. We will start with some preliminary draft statements to build upon and iterate. Following this awheawhe – we will soundboard the outcomes of the session with experts in this space to evolve the template paragraphs. The outcomes of this mahi will then be generally shared as a resource for submission makers and will also contribute to the submission that will be made by Community Research.

Submissions to StatsNZ must be provided through their web portal and close 5:00pm on Friday 19 December 2025.

Resources

StatsNZ information session slides: Census Customer Information session - Public consultation

StatsNZ paper on quality of ethnicity data in the experimental administrative population census: https://www.stats.govt.nz/research/quality-of-ethnicity-data-in-the-experimental-administrative-pop…

StatsNZ experimental administrative population census output: https://www.stats.govt.nz/experimental/experimental-administrative-population-census/

PIE commentary by Len Cook - What the public needs to know about the decision to stop the five-yearly census:

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/assets/business/about-the-business-school/about/PIE%20commentary%202025-2%20Len%20Cook%20final.pdf

Contact the host of Modernising the census and meeting the needs of ethnically diverse communities - Online workshop