Six things to know about the Census changes

Wednesday, 18 June 2025

From 2030, New Zealand will move away from a traditional nationwide census and adopt a new approach using administrative data, supported by a smaller annual survey and targeted data collection.

The Government has got rid of the traditional nationwide Census.

Census forms in New Zealand have been completed by people every five years since 1877, answering a set of questions about themselves and their households. This gave the Government a snapshot of who was living in and visiting New Zealand.

It’s the only survey in New Zealand that covered the whole population and provided the most complete picture of life in our cities, towns, suburbs, and rural areas.

But it’s not been without its issues.

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

But there were numerous problems, and it was later revealed one in seven Kiwis failed to fully complete the Census.

The 2023 Census was declared a success with 99 percent of the population counted, but that number came from about four-and-a-half million people having filled out the forms and another half-million being represented through government data.

So what’s the deal with this new system? Here’s six things you should know about the census changes.

1. Next Census scrapped

The next planned Census, in 2028, will no longer happen and from 2030 a new approach will be in place to collect data.

2. It’s going to use data already collected by Government agencies

Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti said the new approach would leverage data already collected by government agencies.

3. Smaller surveys will still be used

Reti said smaller surveys would instead be used to verify the data already collected and fill any gaps.

Stats NZ would work closely with communities to ensure smaller population groups are accurately represented.

The traditional paper-based Census has been scrapped.

4. It will save money

The new Census will save money and give more timely insights, Reti said.

“Relying solely on a nationwide Census day is no longer financially viable. In 2013, the census cost $104 million. In 2023, costs had risen astronomically to $325 million and the next was expected to come in at $400 million over five years.

5. Investment in a monthly Consumers Price Index

The Government said it will also invest $16.5 million to deliver a monthly Consumers Price Index (CPI) from 2027.

Reti said this would bring New Zealand into line with other advanced economies and provide more timely inflation data to help the Government and Reserve Bank respond quickly to cost-of-living pressures.

“Inflation affects interest rates, benefit adjustments, and household budgets. Timely data helps ensure Kiwis are better supported in a fast-changing environment.”

6. Funding to bring reporting in line with international standards

Funding was also being allocated to align Stats NZ’s reporting with updated international macroeconomic standards, Reti said.

He said these reflect shifts such as the growth of the digital economy and will ensure New Zealand is measuring what matters in today’s world.