Hon Maurice Williamson
Minister of Statistics
04 March 2013 Media Statement

Census Data Vital For New Zealand

Tomorrow is census day and everyone stands to benefit if they fill in their forms, says Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson.

The census is the five-yearly snapshot of New Zealand and is the only opportunity to get an official count of everyone and their dwellings.

“Statisticians love this sort of thing but the real benefit is in how the information is used.

“The Government needs to know how many people there are in each part of the country so there can be informed decisions about spending money on hospitals, roads, public transport, kōhanga reo and many other things.

“Community groups, councils and iwi also need to plan ahead and the census provides them with the information required to do that,” Mr Williamson says.

It’s expected about two million census forms (individual and dwelling) will be filled out online this census.

“I would encourage people to use this option, as it’s quick, easy and secure.”

All census information is kept confidential by Statistics New Zealand and can only be used for statistical purposes.

Anyone who has not received their census forms and internet access code should phone 0800 CENSUS (0800 236787).

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>