Census assistance offered by libraries, hospital
South Canterbury residents struggling with this year’s onlinefocused census have been offered several helping hands.
Local libraries and the region’s health board have set up census stations for those needing help, following Timaru Herald reports of elderly residents throughout the region struggling with this year’s census, which they say is confusing and frustrating.
On Wednesday Pleasant Point 85-year-old Angela Mounsey, who does not own a computer, said she feared being dragged into court and fined for failing to complete the census. She has struggled to use the 0800 number provided to request paper forms.
This year Statistics New Zealand aims to collect most of the information online. The census, held every five years, is on March 6.
Hearing this story, and others, has prompted libraries to take action.
Timaru District Libraries manager Adele Hewlett said the library provides a public service to the community and has received information from census around the information collection.
‘‘People can bring their access codes into the library and we can help them fill out the census, or order a paper copy for them,’’ she said.
Several people have taken up the offer already.
Those people were all older residents who did not have computer, she said.
‘‘Some of them have also had no idea of how to go about filling out the census.
‘‘We’re happy to help com- munity members with this.’’
The Temuka and Geraldine libraries were doing the same thing, Hewlett said.
The Waimate Public Library, Mackenzie Community Library and Fairlie’s Heartland Services were also providing similar services.
South Canterbury District Health Board chief executive Nigel Trainor said a station would be set up at Timaru Hospital on March 6.
‘‘The census has a big impact on health services. We are funded under the population-based funding model and the census helps determine the number and make-up of our population,’’ Trainor said.
‘‘We have heard there are concerns from some members of the community around completing the census online and as such we would like to make available space, technology and support for people to complete their census at the Timaru Hospital.’’
The census station will be at the front of the hospital between 8am and 5pm.
Those taking advantage of the service will need to bring their access code with them.