Whanganui chosen for Census test

Published on 28 March 2017

28 March 2017

Whanganui has been selected as the only district in New Zealand to participate in a Census test this year, ahead of the official Census which will be held nation-wide in March 2018.

Statistics New Zealand spokesperson Denise McGregor says Whanganui was chosen because it is a big enough place to be representative of New Zealand as a whole and has a mix of people and dwellings that will help Statistics New Zealand test its systems and processes for the next census in March 2018.

“We are also using the test to get an indication of how many people would be likely to fill in their Census information online. We are hoping that, when we undertake the census in 2018, seventy per cent of people will take part online.”

Mayor Hamish McDouall is delighted Whanganui has been selected for the test and encourages people to go online to complete the census test.

“Getting our community on board to complete the census test is another way we can show the rest of New Zealand how comfortable we are with technology and how we are leading the way.

“You might not have the internet at home, but I am sure there will be keen whanau members, friends and organisations out there with access to the internet who would be happy to help.

“If seventy per cent of us can fill in the census online for the test, we’ve got a great chance of doing it again when the 2018 Census comes around. We might just beat the national average.”

“I really encourage people to complete the census test, as the more people who participate, the better Stats NZ can make the experience next year, when they run the 2018 Census.”

Letters with information about how to participate in the test will arrive with households from March 24. The census test day is Tuesday, April 4. 

For more information, please visit www.census.govt.nz