Online census baffling elderly

Sarah Harris

The elderly are struggling with the 2018 Census’ move to online.

Instead of a census collector delivering paper forms before census day, and then returning to collect them after the day, households will receive an access code letter this year.

The household can either fill in the census online using that code, or call 0800 236 787 to request paper forms which will be posted to them.

Census letters were due to start arriving from February 23 and the census must be filled out by March 6.

A disgruntled elderly woman from Whangarei called the Herald yesterday to complain about the new method. She said it had left a lot of people very confused.

Whangarei SeniorNet spokesman Joe Cross said he had around half a dozen complaints in the last day. He said a lot of them had called the number on the census letter, then been placed on hold before becoming frustrated and hanging up.

“The letter is clear if they are computer literate, but a lot of them sadly aren’t. They are becoming offended that they have to wait for a phone call to get the papers sent out.”

SeniorNet national spokesman Grant Sidaway said they were running over 200 workshops nationally to help seniors complete the census.

“We’re getting a steady flow of people coming to us asking for help.”

2018 Census general manager Denise McGregor said half a million people had completed the online census forms already and elderly Kiwis were well represented.

Around 80 per cent of the country was getting their letters mailed out. While the remaining 20 per cent would have their letters hand delivered like in previous years. McGregor said Cyclone Gita had delayed delivery in some areas.

The online option was available in both the 2006 and 2013 census. Last census one third of the country completed it online. This census they were hoping for 70 per cent of people to do it online, McGregor said. “We think New Zealand is ready for this.”

Around 97 per cent of people in New Zealand on census day will fill it out, but there is always a margin of error, McGregor admitted.