Census Day - 6 March

Census Day - 6 March

March 6 is Census day - the day that everyone in New Zealand will provide a snapshot of who we are as a nation at the beginning of the 21st century.

Nearly 4 million people, including babies and visitors will be counted.

All the personal information provided in the census is kept totally confidential. It is only used to prepare statistics. All information produced from the census is completely anonymous.

The census helps us to measure changing needs, better allocate our resources and funds, and predict the needs of our future generations.

"The fact that the census goes so smoothly and nearly everybody fills in their census forms willingly is a celebration of our democratic processes," says Brian Pink. "I believe this high level of cooperation is based on two key factors, namely people's inherent belief that the data collected is a valuable national resource and people's trust in Statistics New Zealand to protect the confidentiality of the data they provide."

The changes in our everyday life have been reflected in censuses over the years. In the 1945 census, we asked about flush toilets and hot water; in 1956, we asked whether people owned a refrigerator or an electric clothes-washing machine; in 1966, we asked about radios, television sets, telephones and vacuum cleaners. In this first census of the 21st century we are asking about people's internet and fax access at home.

If you have any enquiries regarding filling in your census form, you can call the helpline on 0800 80 2001.

It is expected that the first results of the census count will be released at the end of May 2001. Full results will be progressively released from early in 2002.

Brian Pink GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN END

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