Census staff head into communities
It will start with a knock on the door, but Census 2023 collectors are prepared for conversation and questions when they hit Taranaki streets this week.
For two weeks, 28 collectors will be out in force around the region to drop off the necessary paperwork related to the national survey of New Zealanders, which is held every five years.
Modelling data has identified specific areas in Taranaki where in-person delivery will take place, while others can expect their census forms to show up in the letterbox from February 21.
Communities like Puniho, Rā hotu and Oaonui can expect a collector visit, along with parts of Opunake, Hā wera, Stratford and Eltham.
The New Plymouth CBD, pockets of its suburbs, along with much of Waitara, Urenui and the eastern Taranaki hill country, will also be well traversed by census staff.
The official day for Census 2023 is March 7, but once people receive the forms, they are able to fill them out, or opt to use the online option instead.
The data crunched from the survey helps determine the needs of communities around the country and what type of services, and funding ratio, they need.
For Trina Seu, who is employed as a collector, she was particularly motivated by the chance to make a difference for tangata whenua.
‘‘I wanted to represent Mā ori and the community, and help Mā ori have their say.’’
Through her work at the Taranaki Base Hospital, she saw the link between the census and the level of services a community received.
Seu hoped everyone would take the time to complete the survey and strongly encouraged people to ask questions about the process if they wanted.
Having ‘‘courageous conversations’’ was also something senior collector Chris Lee expected to encounter when he was out and about.
And it was a task they were welltrained and prepared to take on, Lee said.
All Census 2023 collectors will be wearing official clothing and carry Stats NZ identification, which can be independently verified if needed.
With collectors working from 10am8pm for the next 14 days straight, north Taranaki team leader Tyla Nickson, who also serves on the Clifton community board, had one idea to share with the community that would make their job easier.
‘‘Be kind to the census collectors.’’