Today is census day.

It’s the day when every single person in New Zealand has one thing in common – we all have to fill in our census forms.
General Manager 2013 Census Carol Slappendel says census day is the largest one off activity being held in New Zealand this year.

“If you are in New Zealand for census night you are required by law to fill in a census form. There are no exceptions,” she said.

“From the tip of the North Island, to Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands people will be filling in their census forms online or on paper, in English or Mâori. Even those people working at Scott Base in Antarctica, considered New Zealand soil, are counted during the census.

“If you are away from home tonight but still in New Zealand you are still required to take part. Fill in your individual form at the place you are staying at.

“The census is all about numbers. How many of us are there? How many of different ages? How many in different types of jobs and so on.

“Here are a few numbers that have led to the census happening today:
• Development and printing of 6.4 million census forms (4.6 million individual and 1.8 million dwelling forms), and Internet Access Codes
• Recruitment, training and deployment of more than 7000 collectors
• Visits by collectors to around 1.8 million homes
• A target to get 35% of forms returned online

“Leading up to and during census day our collectors deliver forms to hospitals, homes, airports – even cruise ships – and from tomorrow they will begin collecting those forms that have not been filled in online.

“If everyone in your home returns all of their forms online then the collector may not need to call back.

“Thank you for taking part in the 2013 Census.”
For more about the 2013 Census see www.census.govt.nz.

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