Data delay troubles electoral, health officials

The next general election is at risk of being compromised due to Census 2018 delays.

The Electoral Commission has confirmed its necessary redraw of electoral boundaries for Election 2020 could be jeopardised by the delayed data.

Commission officials fronted a parliamentary select committee on Thursday, where National MP Nick Smith questioned the latest point the data could be received to ensure a robust election.

Electoral Commission chair Sir Hugh Williams QC said the population figures, which come as part of Stats NZ’s initial data release, could come as late as September 2019.

‘‘Anything later than that would really jeopardise the capacity for the Electoral Commission to do its work, assuming the general election was set for the third or fourth quarter of 2020.’’

Documents released under the Official Information Act show Stats NZ has acknowledged the high risk of failing its statutory obligation to provide the data.

The commission is not the only organisation concerned about the delays and quality of census data.

Hutt Valley District Health Board strategy general manager Helene Carbonatto said continuing to use projections based on 2013 data ‘‘may not give a good reflection of individual DHB populations’’. Canterbury DHB chief executive David Meates said accurate population projections were vital for planning and funding services.