Census 2023 will do better, especially for Māori, Stats NZ says

Saturday, 4 February 2023

Five years on from the last disastrous tally, the 2023 census will focus on delivering for iwi and Māori with a raft of changes to ensure it gets it right – says the group tasked with delivering the survey.

Stats NZ says this year will have twice as many census engagement staff than in 2018, with more than half being Māori; as well as a fully bilingual census website, census forms, and other support available in te reo Māori.

Data collected in the census has the potential to create a real and positive difference for whānau, hapū, and iwi,” said Simon Mason, deputy chief executive of census and collection operations.

“We did not deliver well enough for Māori and iwi in the 2018 census, including consulting and engaging on how data was collected and how we could have supported Māori to participate.”

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The 2018 census received the lowest response in more than 50 years, resulting in a lack of reliable data about the nation.

Stats NZ had urged Kiwis to complete their census online, however one in 10 people didn't respond, a drop of five% from the last census.

On Saturday, Stats NZ said this year’s census would be able to be completed both online or by paper form.

“The census collects iwi and Māori data for the whole country, which is used by iwi and government for policy and planning purposes and for future developments. The census is the main source of iwi affiliation data and the only way to understand how many people speak te reo Māori.”

In a statement, the National Iwi Chairs Forum said it supported the 2023 census and expected a far better result than in 2018.

Dame Rangimarie Glavish, co-chair of Pou Tāngata, said by taking part in the census, iwi and Māori helped create a better understanding of their contributions to Aotearoa, how they are faring and what tāngata whenua need.

“We have never been in this position before, where we are able to drive better outcomes for iwi through the census.”

A flagship initiative for the 2023 census is Te Mana Whakatupu, an iwi-led data analytics and collections pilot, led by Te Kāhui Raraunga, the operating arm of the Data Iwi Leaders Group.

As part of this, iwi collectives in Te Tai Tokerau and Tairawhiti, and Te Whānau ā Apanui, will collect responses to the census from whānau in their rohe.

Rahui Papa, co-chair of Pou-Tāngata and chair of Data ILG said there will be cultural, social and economic benefits for iwi, such as improving the health and wellbeing of whānau.

“It is also a vital source of information for our iwi business and to develop investment plans that will deliver for our people.”

The 2023 census will be held on March 7.