Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Census Battle Returns to Court
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Census
Census Battle Returns to Court
The court case between Libertarianz member Nikolas Haden and Statistics New Zealand will be heard in court today. Mr Haden is defending himself against charges brought by Statistics New Zealand in relation to Mr Haden's refusal to fill in last year's census.
According to Statistics NZ estimates in the 2006 Post Enumeration Survey there were about 92,000 New Zealanders who did not fill out last year's census. It seems however that only about 100 are being prosecuted. This prosecution appears to be motivated by the political protest mounted against the census by the Libertarianz party.
The Libertarianz party has taken a moral stand against the census, not so much because of the information collected, but because the information acquisition is compulsory and backed by the threat of fines and jail time. However it appears that these threats are selectively enforced as there are large numbers of non-compliant New Zealanders who are not being prosecuted.
Libertarianz is the only party which has consistently stood for individual rights and freedoms - such as the freedom to not fill in a census form - and is supporting Mr Haden's fight for these rights.
Mr Haden appears in the Wellington District Court at 10.00 am Wednesday 11 April.
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On Children’s Book Classics - The Moomins
Nelson City Council: Mayor Welcomes Auditor-General Decision Not To Prosecute Councillor
Johnnie Freeland: Ko Tātou Tātou - Climate Action In Aotearoa Begins With Relationship
Zero Waste Network Aotearoa: Container Return Scheme Bill Would Double Recycling Rates And Put Money Back In Households
Wellington City Council: Statement From The Wellington Mayoral Forum On Options For Regional Governance Reform
MUNZ: TAIC Report On Kaitaki Incident Gives Shocking Picture Of Decline Of NZ Maritime Infrastructure
Greenpeace: New Climate Report Yet More Reason To Reduce Dairy Herd
