Testing begins on New Zealand’s new census survey

In June 2025, Stats NZ introduced plans to modernise the census. The brand new strategy prioritises the usage of knowledge already collected by authorities (often known as administrative or admin knowledge), coupled with a brand new annual census survey.

Now, roughly 1,850 households throughout Ashburton, Christchurch, and New Plymouth are being invited to become involved within the first take a look at of the brand new survey assortment system.

“The stay take a look at is a important step ahead in designing and planning the brand new strategy,” inhabitants and housing spokesperson Sean Broughton stated.

Underneath the brand new census mannequin, annually a small proportion of the inhabitants will probably be chosen to participate in a census survey. The survey will run constantly all year long.

“Primarily, we’re testing how the gathering system works for individuals, and the way our methods and processes reply. For instance, sooner or later paper varieties will now not be used – individuals will be capable of select to finish the survey on-line, in particular person, or over the telephone.”

That is simply the primary take a look at. Further testing and refinements will happen over the following 18 months, earlier than the brand new annual census survey begins in 2027.

Chosen households will reply a model of the 2023 Census questionnaire. Questions will probably be up to date after public session and engagement later this yr.

The take a look at runs from 13 October to twenty-eight November 2025. Invited households will obtain a letter from Stats NZ with extra data, and directions on how to participate. The take a look at is voluntary. Knowledge collected gained’t be used to provide official statistics, however to check the circulate of knowledge by way of our methods.

“In case your family is invited to participate, we encourage you to become involved and assist form the following step in census knowledge assortment in New Zealand,” Broughton stated.

“Census insights play a significant function in informing choices, massive and small, throughout New Zealand. They affect authorities decision-making for necessary public providers in areas like schooling, well being, transport, and housing, so it’s necessary we get the census proper.”

Begin your census take a look at | Stats NZ has extra data.