Cheat Sheet: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Census

Tuesday, 24 January 2023

The 2023 Census for the first time included questions about sexual identity and orientation. (Video first published November 2022.)

March 7 is census day – the five-yearly count of everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. The normally straightforward survey was rattled in 2018 when a digital-first, budget-cut project led to one in seven Kiwis failing to complete the census. Denise Piper looks at what it is all about.

What is the census?

The census is a national survey of all people and dwellings in Aotearoa New Zealand, providing a count of people as well as important information like ethnicity, religion, income, education and housing.

The census has been held every regularly since 1851, usually every five years, but was delayed in 2011 for two years due to the devastating Christchurch earthquakes.

* Census 2018: Chief Statistician Liz MacPherson has resigned

The 2018 census went online for the first time but a number of problems meant one in seven Kiwis did not complete the survey. Now, people can choose if they want to do an online or paper census. (File photo)

* Census 2018 - filling in the gaps

In 2023, census day is Tuesday, March 7 – which is statistically the least likely day for New Zealanders to be travelling.

Rainbow charity InsideOUT staff, Alex Ker, left, Rebecca Lauryssen, Tabby Besley, Rosie Leadbitter, Compass Wilts-Ramsay, Edie Freeman and Neo Kenny, celebrating the census including questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time.

Everyone in the country on census day must fill in the survey, either online or in paper, including international visitors.

Why should I care about a boring government survey?

The census provides an important picture of communities’ needs, so government agencies, councils, iwi, community groups and businesses can plan how to respond to them.

During an April press conference, the Chief Statistician announced that Census 2018 iwi data will not be released. (Video first published April 2019.)

Simon Mason, Stats NZ’s deputy chief executive, urged people to complete the census to help their community.

“Anonymised data is used by communities, iwi, business, councils and government to plan and fund all the services we rely on – like schools and kohanga reo, hospitals, parks and recreation centres, public transport and roads, and many other services.”

Rainbow Kiwis are especially encouraged to fill in the census this year, which will include questions about gender, sexual identity and sex variations for the first time.

If the carrot is not enough, there is also a stick: Those who fail to fill out the census can be fined up to $2000 or $12,000 for agencies.

What went wrong with the 2018 Census?

In 2018, Stats NZ decided to join the digital age, focusing on online census forms rather than traditional paper ones.

2018 Census team leader Eryl Jones and field officer Yvonne Weeber scan copies of the 2018 Census at a Kilbirnie retirement village – this time more collectors will be added to help people with their surveys. (File photo)

But there were numerous problems, including at least 3% of households not receiving an access code so members could fill in the online count.

Four months after the census, Stat NZ’s interim figures showed one in 10 Kiwis did not complete the census – the lowest response in 50 years.

But in 2019, the figure was revealed to be far worse, with one in seven Kiwis failing to fully complete the census.

The 2018 Census data release date was pushed back three times and there were fears the 2020 Election could have been compromised, with Māori being particularly under-counted and no iwi affiliations being recorded.

While National and Labour pointed fingers at each other for cost-cutting and a lack of control, chief statistician Liz MacPherson fell on her sword after a review criticised the leadership.

The data was eventually released with the input of other statistics and data collected by government and private organisations, after the government gave an extra $6m to the project.

How will a debacle be avoided this year?

Stats NZ is aiming to make the 2023 Census easier than ever for people to fill out, with the option of online and paper forms.

The 2023 Census will include questions about sexual identity, variations of sex characteristics and disabilities. (File photo)

Every home is set to get an online access code and 44% of homes will also receive paper forms, plus the paper forms can be requested by those who want them.

Stats NZ said there will be nearly twice as many census collectors than in 2018 and more census events, where people can complete their forms or ask for help.

People will also have more time to do the census – the forms can be filled out as soon as people have their access codes or paper forms, although the answers should be based on where you will be on census night.

For the first time, all questions will be translated into New Zealand Sign Language videos with closed captioning. Braille, large-print and 27 different languages will also be available.

Stats NZ has also worked to improve the census experience for Māori, with a stronger Māori voice in the census programme, stronger engagement and a commitment to te reo Māori.

The Māori-first design includes making it easier to enter iwi affiliation information with the help of an online map and census collectors being trained in te ao Māori and tikanga.

Finally, the census data will also use the input of other statistics and data collected by government and private organisations. This information was used by necessity in 2018, but this time around it will be used by design.

How will the questions in 2023 Census be different?

The census aims to better reflect how Kiwis see themselves, including counting those who are intersex.

People aged 15 years or older will be asked their sexual identity and variations of sex characteristics, giving data on rainbow and transgender Kiwis.

The census will also provide a window into disabilities, asking people whether a disability, long-term condition or mental health condition limits their ability to carry out daily activities.

This sounds great, how do I take part?

Households will start receiving their census packs in February, either by post or hand delivery from a census collector.

All homes and dwellings should receive a letter with an online access code to do the census online, while selected homes will also receive paper forms.

If you do not receive the paper forms but you would like to fill in the census on paper, you can request them.

Information is available online at census.govt.nz and an 0800 number – 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787) –will be available from February 7.