New data for census

Wellington: The rainbow community’s ‘‘horrible experience’’ of not seeing themselves reflected in the census data is about to change.

The country’s official count of its residents and where they live is due to be held again next May.

For the first time it will collect data on gender and sexual identity, to help decisionmaking for, and about, minority groups.

Stats NZ social and population insights general manager Jason Attewell said the way society was changing meant it was timely to include the subject.