Economy / Politics

Census 2018 - what went wrong?

09:08 am on 11 March 2019

Photo: 123RF

Why is data from last year's census still delayed, a year after the natiowide official survey?


Statistics New Zealand says it has had to delay the release of any information as it reckons with a lower than expected response. It says it received full or partial information for at least 90 per cent of individuals, compared with 94.5 percent for the 2013 Census.

Last year's census was done online for the first time,  and was criticised for not catering efficiently for households without internet.

It is the subject of an external review, and an expert advisory panel has been appointed to help pinpoint what went wrong.

Kathryn speaks about the impact of the delay with former Government Statistian Len Cook who is a member of the expert advisory panel, and University of Auckland statistician Dr Andrew Sporle.

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