Census Information Strategy Released

2001 Census of Population and Dwellings Output Strategy: July 2000

A proposal for products and services from the next nationwide census is now available for public comment, said Acting Government Statistician John Cornish.

The information paper, 2001 Census of Population and Dwellings Proposed Product and Services: an Overview of the 2001 Census Output Strategy, outlines possible ways for providing the community, businesses and other users with information from the country's largest statistical collection. Also included are key dates, for example, 28 May sees the first release of the provisional total population and dwelling count as on census night 6th March 2001.

"There's so much census material that we need to know if the products and services planned are actually what people want," says Mr Cornish. "It's important that people tell us if there is anything missing from the paper or if there is something they would like to see added." He adds "New Zealand's population is growing and census information is important for planning future community needs".

The paper's proposals include making it easier for users to find specific tables, using the Internet to reduce cost to users, and giving Mäori users the chance to get information more easily.

"Much of the information will be the same as that in the 1996 Census, although it may be delivered in a different form," said Mr Cornish.

All members of the public are invited to comment on any aspect of the output strategy. Copies of the paper are available free from the Statistics New Zealand website, www.stats.govt.nz, or by calling Denise McGregor or Steve Ramsey on 0-3-374 8700. Comments need to be received before 4 August 2000.

John Cornish
ACTING GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN

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