Digital-friendly census to be tested tonight

A new digital-first census model is being tested by Statistics NZ on 22,000 households across the country tonight. This will help test the new processes planned for the next census in 2018.

“We’re changing to a digital-first census model. We want to make it really easy for people to fill in their forms, so we’re testing mobile, desktop, and tablet versions to find out what people prefer,” 2018 Census General Manager Denise McGregor said.

“By introducing new ways of collecting information, we’ll be able to produce the census counts and other census information faster.”

A sample of households in neighbourhoods across Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, and Canterbury are testing new processes and online forms, so Statistics NZ can check that its updated systems and technology are easy to use and reliable.

Households will be reminded about completing their forms over the next few weeks. After that, some households will be asked about their experience of the Census Test, to help Statistics NZ with census planning for 2018.

The census counts the population in New Zealand and it must be accurate. The data collected is used to inform important decisions, including how to allocate resources in communities, and decisions on infrastructure planning, and health and education funding.

ENDS

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