CENSUS DAY

What you need to know

To complete your Census you will need

Your access code letter. About 20 minutes to complete the Census; individual forms take about eight minutes.

Everyone in your household to take part.

Why is the Census important?

Information gathered helps determine how billions of dollars of government spending is allocated. It helps identify where hospitals, schools, roads and public transport are needed.

Is the Census compulsory and can I get fined if I don’t complete it?

Yes. The Statistics Act 1975 requires everyone in New Zealand on Census day to take part, that includes tourists. After Census day, any household yet to complete their Census forms will be contacted again by letter. Households who haven’t completed their forms after these reminders will be visited by field teams. If people still refuse to take part after these visits, Stats NZ may consider prosecution.

Is anything new with this Census?

Stats NZ wants everyone who has their access code letter and is able to take part online to do so. Stats NZ is also asking new questions about mould and damp in your home, and has introduced a new set of disability questions.

What happens if I want to take part by paper/ hard copy?

Paper forms are available upon request. If you have your access code letter, you can call the Census helpline on 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787) and a form will be sent to you.

What happens if you’ve lost your access code?

If you’ve lost your code, a new one will soon be on its way to any household who haven’t responded by midnight on March 6.

What happens if I am not at home?

Places like hospitals, residential homes, hotels and motels are treated a little differently from households. Stats NZ delivers everything they need, including paper forms, closer to Census day, so they can use them to count the people actually staying with them on Census night.

Are some people yet to receive their Census?

The majority of the population have received their forms.

How long does it take to do?

2018 Census general manager Denise McGregor said: “It doesn’t take long to complete and timing for online forms is averaging four minutes for the dwelling form and eight minutes for the individual form.” For more information on how to fill out your Census go to www.census.govt.nz/how-can-i-do-it/