What is the census and why should we care?

Thursday, 22 February 2018

It's almost census time. We look at why we bother. (FILE)

Tuesday is official census day, and for the first time Statistics New Zealand is prioritising online data collection.

By Monday morning, 1.2 million people had completed their census online, putting Stats NZ well on the way to achieving its target of having 70 per cent of all census forms done online.

If you're on a cruise in New Zealand waters on census night you'll still need to complete the form.

2018 Census general manager Denise McGregor said every household should have received the unique access code needed to take part by Tuesday.

Anyone with questions can call the census helpline 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787), where staff who speak a range of languages are available. Calling that number is also a way to request paper forms, for people who prefer the old-fashioned way, or do not have access to the internet. Paper forms can also be requested online

Census results will be used to help inform solutions to the Auckland housing crisis. Good luck with that.

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Census access codes will start showing up in letterboxes from February 23.

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'Anyone who wants to take part by paper, but who got their access code later than other parts of New Zealand, will still be able to respond after census day,' McGregor said. 'After 6 March, reminders will be sent and field teams will follow up with households that have not responded.'

The census is a 'snapshot' of the country taken every five years by asking exactly how many people live in our villages, towns and cities.

The results help us plan for our future.

Stuff asked 2018 Census general manager Denise McGregor to break down how the census works - and why it's still relevant:

WHAT IS THE CENSUS?

The census is the official count of how many people and dwellings there are in New Zealand on a select night.

The census results provide important information for determining who needs what.

WHO IS COUNTED AND WHO IS NOT?

The census counts every person who is present in New Zealand at midnight on that night.

McGregor said a person was considered 'present' if they were on New Zealand soil, on a vessel in New Zealand waters or travelling between New Zealand ports.

Whether you're a citizen, resident or tourist, you'll be counted, McGregor said.

Census forms are delivered to hostels, hotels and even cruise ships to ensure visitors to New Zealand or those who are away from home can take part.

Forms are also taken to hospitals, camp grounds, workplaces, and the airport: Anywhere people might be found at midnight.

If you are 'usually resident' in Auckland, but are in Wellington on census night you will still be included in the population count of Auckland.

However, if you're a New Zealand citizen or resident who is overseas on census night - you don't count.

WHY DO WE DO THE CENSUS?

By asking everyone to complete a set of questions about themselves and their household, Statistics New Zealand is able to capture a snapshot of who is living in, and visiting, New Zealand.

Essentially, it provides information to ensure 'good decisions are made for New Zealand's future', McGregor said.

DO I HAVE TO?

Yes, the Statistics Act 1975 requires everyone in New Zealand on census day to take part.

If you don't participate, or if you provide false or incomplete information, you could be fined.

People who choose not to fill out their census forms can be fined between $50 and $500.

In 2013, Stats NZ announced about 100 people would be prosecuted for not completing their census forms.

In 2006, the Government department prosecuted 72 people for not completing the census, resulting in 41 convictions.

WHEN IS IT?

The census is on March 6.

Historically, the census has always been held on a Tuesday in March.

According to Stats NZ, this is the month and weekday that New Zealanders are least likely to be travelling.

WHAT DOES IT ASK?

You will be asked all the usual demographic questions: Your name, age, sex, marital status and how many children you have.

You'll also get to talk about your ethnicity, iwi affiliation, birthplace, languages spoken, and religious beliefs, whether you smoke or have a disability as well as your education and qualifications.

A refresh of the standard classification of religious affiliation for the 2018 census means data collected will more accurately reflect people's religious, philosophical, and spiritual beliefs.

It is the first update to the classification since 1999.

There's a section on location: That's your census night address, dwelling address, usual residence, and how long you've lived there.

The census will also ask how many people live in your home, how many rooms there are, how many vehicles you own, and what you pay in rent.

This year there is also a range of new questions on housing quality, asking about dampness and mould, McGregor said.

Stats NZ has faced backlash for not including questions on sexual orientation or gender identity in this year's census.

It ran a series of tests on a third gender option and found that erroneous or deliberately inaccurate answers made the data unreliable.

WHAT IS MY INFORMATION USED FOR AND WHO CAN ACCESS IT?

Population information from the Census then helps determine how billions of dollars of government funding is spent in the community, McGregor said.

It is used to make decisions about services like hospitals, schools, roads, public transport and recreational facilities.

The data collected is also used by councils, community groups, iwi and businesses to plan for the future.

Once you return your census forms, the data is collated and anonymised.

Information taken from the census can only be used for statistical purposes and must be reported in a way that cannot identify you, she said.

No other organisations – including the New Zealand police, Immigration New Zealand and Inland Revenue – can obtain census information that identifies specific individuals.

The information you provide must be kept confidential by Stats NZ and is protected by the Statistics Act 1975.

Your census forms will outlive you: The Public Records Act 2005 requires census forms to be retained for 100 years, after which they may be made available for research.

HOW ACCURATE IS IT?

Giving people full licence to tick what ever options they want could lead to some warped results, but McGregor said they were 'confident' information collated was accurate.

'Most people understand the value and importance of the information and are generally very honest and accurate.'

The margin of error is small: The 2013 census counted 97.6 per cent of New Zealand residents, with a sampling error of ±0.5 per cent, according to the Stats NZ website.

I CAN'T STAND FILLING OUT PAPER FORMS

All good - the 2018 census can be completed online.

However, you'll still need to check your letterbox: Instead of people delivering paper forms to every household and coming back after census day to collect them, Stats NZ will be sending or delivering online access codes to each household.

While it's not the first time that census can be filled out online, it's the first time that Stats NZ are 'prioritising' this approach.

This year, it is encouraging 'digital-first' participation, in the hopes at least 70 per cent of New Zealanders will take part by logging on.

I'M OLD SCHOOL. CAN I FILL IT OUT WITH PEN AND PAPER?

Of course.

If you can't - or don't want - to take part online, you can contact 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787) once your household access code has arrived to request paper forms. These will be posted to you.