2011 Census date announced

Statistics NZ has announc­ed Tuesday, 8th March, 2011, as the date for the next NZ census.

“The census is the official count of population and dwellings in NZ and gives a ‘snapshot’ of our society at a point in time. It is taken every five years and counts everyone in NZ on census night.

The census provides key information about the people living in our cities, towns, suburbs, and rural communities,” says acting government statistician Cathryn Ashley-Jones.

“The information collected in the census is used to make a wide range of important decisions such as where to fund and locate hospitals and schools, where electoral boundaries should fall, and how best to provide public transport systems.”

Ms Ashley-Jones says preparations for the event are already well underway.

“One of our major focuses will be to encourage as many people as possible to fill in their census forms on-line,” she said.

“It’s a quick and easy option and it means the census collectors won’t need to go back to homes and pick up forms. At the last census about seven per cent of people filled in their forms on-line – in 2011 we hope that at least 20-30 per cent of people will complete their forms on-line.

“We are also working towards our major dress rehearsal early next year. This will be a comprehensive test of our systems and processes to ensure that the 2011 Census is a success.

“The dress rehearsal will run over four weeks in selected areas of NZ. It will involve approximately 8,000 dwellings.

“Closer to the time, we will remind everyone of the census date (8th March, 2011) and let them know how to fill in the census forms.

“We will also be recruiting one of the largest temporary work forces in NZ. Statistics NZ will need approximately 7,500 field staff to carry out the census,” Ms Ashley-Jones said.