Elderly and rural areas left out by census’ online move

Elderly people in Manawatu¯ are concerned an online-focused census leaves them and people living in rural areas out in the cold.

This year, Statistics New Zealand is taking a ‘‘digital-first’’ approach to the census, hoping at least 70 per cent of New Zealanders will take part online.

It’s the first time the agency has prioritised online participation, which, Grey Power Manawatu¯ president Lew Findlay said, was not in the interest of older people. ‘‘They are being forgotten.’’ Instead of census organisers delivering paper forms to every household and coming back after census day to collect them, people must request physical forms and send them back by post.

Findlay said some elderly people couldn’t use computers. ‘‘They can’t do it online. The Government, I don’t think, thought about that.

‘‘A lot of the elderly people are going to have major difficulties with it.’’

Low-income families may also be hindered if they couldn’t afford the internet or trips to centres with public computers, Findlay added.

People living rurally may have difficulties too as limited internet connection causes issues.

Federated Farmers Manawatu¯ Rangitikei president Richard Morrison said it was convenient having the census online but internet connectivity could be weak in rural communities.

‘‘You can get left behind because the connectivity is an issue.’’

Census spokeswoman Nancy Linton said once households received the access code letters, which started to arrive yesterday, they could call the contact centre and paper forms with return envelopes would be sent.

‘‘Our contact centre is available to help people if they have questions.’’

●➤ If you do not wish to take part online, you can contact 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787) once your household access code has arrived to request paper forms.

"They [senior citizens] are being forgotten.

Lew Findlay, Grey Power Manawatu¯