‘Taonga’ to be collected in Census
Ma¯ ori backing data collection as crucial after 2018 ‘setback’
ARotorua iwi has hopes vital data will be gathered in the upcoming Census, following the “failings” of the last. Te Arawa Lakes Trust chief executive Karen Vercoe has shared how the outcome of the heavily-criticised 2018 Census was a “setback” for Ma¯ ori data — and the implications that had.
The New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings is the official count of the people and dwellings in New Zealand. Census day is on Tuesday, March 7.
It is held every five years — the last was in 2018 — and provides informative data regarding how the country is changing, which is used to inform government agencies and local authorities, businesses, iwi organisations and the public.
The last Census was heavily criticised after it was found one in seven people did not complete it, and in 2019, government statistician Liz Macpherson resigned, saying she took full responsibility for the issues.
Stats NZ delayed the results of the Census and was left filling gaps in its data with other government sources — where it could.
Data quality was impacted by low response rates. This included the rate of response from Ma¯ori and Pacific people — 68 per cent and about 65 per cent respectively, down from 88.5 per cent and 88.3 per cent in the previous Census in 2013. This meant information on iwi affiliation was not
available, as it was poor-quality. An estimate was released in 2021.
An independent panel in its final report in 2020 said Stats NZ would need to regain the trust and support of key users of the data, including local government and Ma¯ori.
Te Arawa’s Vercoe said there were clear failings around the last Census, which in turn left “significant holes” in critical data it and others relied on. This included for making decisions on current and future resourcing, infrastructure and support.
“Data is a taonga, and ensuring accurate data about Ma¯ori populations and wha¯nau is critical,” she said, as it provided a richer and more authentic picture of its people, its future needs and those of Aotearoa New Zealand.
“For example, data is vital for ensuring agencies like Te Aka Whai Ora have adequate funding, people and
empowerment to deliver for wha¯ nau, right through to ensuring adequate support during the Covid response.”
Iwi including Te Arawa, through the Data Iwi Leaders Group, have supported Stats NZ to improve its approach, but Vercoe said there was no doubt the failings of the 2018 Census were a setback for Ma¯ ori data.
Vercoe said Ma¯ori have had some involvement with the co-design of this year’s Census, and she was hopeful it would achieve greater participation. She encouraged all Te Arawa wha¯nau to participate. “Ultimately, the data collected will result in better social, economic, environmental and cultural outcomes for us all.”
Te Arawa and Nga¯ ti Whakaue kaumatua Monty Morrison spoke from Waitangi while attending a National Iwi Chairs Forum hui, and said the topic of Census participation was one of importance.
“There was easy agreement from iwi leaders.”
He said the pandemic had exemplified the importance of having reliable data.
“I would like to think Te Arawa would participate 100 per cent.”
Kirikowhai Mikaere (Tu¯hourangi, Nga¯ti Whakaue) is pou a¯rahi of Te Ka¯ hui Raraunga, the operating arm of the Data Iwi Leaders Group.
She said the importance of active Ma¯ ori participation in the Census was that information gathered underpinned decisions made that directly impacted them.
“The most important thing is that iwi deserve robust information.”
She said this data was missed out on in 2018, and that had an impact. An example was that the Census helped inform electoral boundaries. If there was less Ma¯ori participation, there was less representation.
Deputy Government statistician and Census and Collection Operations deputy chief executive Simon Mason said having all New Zealanders complete the Census was the best way to get quality data.
“The Census is about all of us. The information gathered in the Census helps our communities in so many ways and is relevant to everyone.”
Personal information was never shared with any other organisation or Government department, he said.
Improvements included making participation easier for a wide range of people with more paper forms: 44 per cent of dwellings are to receive forms before the day, and the number of Census collectors is double what there were in 2018.
— funded