Food price index delay

Food price index delay

31 October 2014

Statistics New Zealand is delaying the release of the Food Price Index: November 2014 due to industrial action among Public Service Association members.

This was due to be released on 11 December 2014. We will provide a new date for this information when we have determined when it can be done, but are actively working to minimise the delay. The Food Price Index: October 2014 release on 13 November 2014 will be released as planned. We will provide updates if there is an impact on any other releases.

“At Statistics New Zealand, we work to ensure that the statistics we release are accurate and timely, as trust in our work is critical as the independent national statistics office. Where this cannot be guaranteed, publication will not proceed,” deputy government statistician Colin Lynch said.

“This way we are ensuring New Zealand gets the best possible information to base decisions on. In this instance we will work with key users of the Food Price Index to try and meet their needs in the interim.”

Statistics NZ is preparing to continue providing customer service and producing important statistics despite the current industrial action from union members. This action includes work to rule, limitations on returning some survey and other information, and other measures, deputy chief executive Kelvin Watson said.

“Statistics NZ has made more than one offer to the PSA to settle the industrial action and is keen to return to the bargaining table to reach an agreement. We respect the right for industrial action but also have a duty to keep our important work on track, and will be doing everything we can in good faith to achieve that.

“We firmly believe that our proposed average 3 percent increase is generous, and is in excess of many comparable settlements. It shows that we value our staff very highly, and pride ourselves on treating them fairly and equitably, while operating sustainably,” Mr Watson said.

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