Census problems were utterly predictable
Migration compact
New Zealand used to have one of the best census procedures in the world. That is why this country was chosen by the United Nations to conduct the 2004 Census of Timor-Leste.
Yet our latest census is accurately described as a shambles, with all the disastrous consequences outlined in Fear over ‘stale’ data in census (Dec 12).
What was not discussed, however, was why the 2018 census is basically useless for the purposes it is intended to fulfil. The simple reason is that Statistics New Zealand tried to conduct it online.
The strength of all previous censuses was the doorstep interaction between a trained collector and the respondents, covering every dwelling and every place where people could be located, throughout the whole of New Zealand.
This interaction not only ensured almost total compliance and the collection of comprehensive and essential data, but, more importantly, it contacted the marginalised and potentially non-compliant members of our society.
The online census, though, became a optional exercise and consequently was widely ignored.
This result was utterly predictable. In 2013 Statistics NZ trialled an online option for completion of forms. This was cumbersome, inefficient and unproductive, and large numbers of people opted out, with impunity.
Gaining reliable information from everyone has been the defining quality of past censuses. Only a return to those previous systems of enumeration will restore the census to an instrument vital to government, business, and iwi.
Paul Canham, Napier therefore, faith itself is out the window.
It might be declining in our small and isolated corner of the world but in the world at large, Christianity is the biggest faith and is still growing.
Belief in God (not necessarily the Christian one) is still very strong in New Zealand at around 70 per cent. In other words, and contrary to the claims of some of your correspondents that we are a secular society, the 2013 census shows the number of people with a religious belief outnumbering those with none by about 3 to 1.
A belief in a Creator who can be communicated with, then, is the belief of the overwhelming number of our population, and those who assert ‘‘Bah, humbug’’ is insignificant by comparison. If you’re an atheist, then, Happy Whatever, but best not play the numbers.
John Terris, Lower Hutt allocations to departments, schools and the various administrative sectors – new business cards, the cost of each academic having to advise their international contacts of the change, presumably through to the Victoria Business School transforming itself into whatever goes with Wellington.
No, no formal deception by the administration, simply a muddying the waters to make it all look good.
Emeritus Professor Brian Halton, Karori species, in some cases for generations, and have genuine fears of the intrusions of people from Forest & Bird and DOC, who think they know best what to do with their land and the species involved. They are all too aware of examples of interventions going disastrously wrong.
Forest & Bird and DOC should be willing to recognise they are not the sole arbitrators of what is best for our natural world and learn to listen. Narena Olliver, Greytown over-represented’’, conveys no realistic appreciation of actuality. Society’s law-abiding types don’t get imprisoned. Why doesn’t Tamaki preach that?
Contrast Ma¯ ori existences before colonisation with the immeasurable benefits they’ve since acquired – in health, welfare, lifestyle and tribal security. Those gains are never acknowledged, while foundationless ‘‘grievances’’ are foisted unrelentingly.
Demands, expectations and victimhood are still baselessly touted, despite so many settlements that stemmed solely from Pa¯ keha¯ -instigated goodwill. Jim Cable, Nelson A safer solution for migrants (Editorial, Dec 12) starts, ‘‘the desire for a better life for one’s family is a universal one’’. That desire is as universal to New Zealanders as anyone, but most see little benefit to them or their children from the open-door immigration this country has adopted, which only seeks to undermine the wages and employment prospects of many New Zealanders.
We’re told the UN compact will not be binding in any state. You could say that about our refugee quota but we are continually being asked to take more, as if taking 100,000 would make the slightest difference to the population problems facing the world. If my views make me a redneck I’ll wear the badge proudly.
Chris Bowen, Lower Hutt The Dominion Post is subject to the NZ Media Council. Complaints must be directed to editor@dompost .co.nz. If the complainant is unsatisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council, PO Box 10-879, Wellington, 6143 or info@media council.org.nz. Further details at presscouncil.org.nz Email: letters@ dompost.co.nz
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