(Picture caption: Returns in New Zealand’s 2023 Census indicate a significant improvement on 2018 figures.)
Collections for the 2023 Census officially closed on June 30 and thanks to the efforts of participants and collectors, the team were on track to achieve an excellent coverage rate, says Statistics Minister Dr Deborah Russell.
“As at 29 June, 4,560,486 people had returned their individual forms, indicating an estimated individual return rate of 89 percent nationally, a significant increase from 82 percent in 2018,” Minister Russell says.
“There is clearly more work to do, particularly around the estimated 74 percent returns for those of Māori descent and 79 percent for people of Pacific ethnicity.
“They have also lifted from 2018 but are still not as high as we would want.
“In coming weeks, Stats NZ will finalise numbers and produce an estimated national collection response rate, with the first official release of census data in May 2024.
“The final coverage and response rates will be released through a post census survey later in 2024.”
Minister Russell says Stats NZ already has work underway to understand how it can further improve on the 2023 results, including an independent review in the coming months.
“In the context of that review, New Zealand will also be mindful of trends showing a decline in census participation internationally,” she says.
“Stats NZ continues to share knowledge with and learn from the experiences of other countries around how it is gathering census data in the current era.
“Despite facing challenges such as Cyclone Gabrielle during the course of the 2023 Census, I have confidence that it will produce high-quality population data for the country.”
The information it gathers helps inform our future needs around infrastructure, health services and housing to name three key topics, she adds.
“I want to acknowledge Stats NZ and our many community partners for the key role they played in enabling New Zealanders to take part in the census.
“Stats NZ, alongside iwi, community leaders and other organisations stepped up to make this a more inclusive census, by making participation easier,” Minister Russell says.
Visit the Stats NZ website for more information.