The response rate for Census 2023 was 87.6 percent. Photo: RNZ
The number of people who filled out the 2023 Census form rose slightly compared to five years ago but was well down on response rates for the population and dwellings count a decade ago.
Stats NZ's latest data shows the latest census response rate was 87.6 percent, up almost 2 percent from 2018 but short of the two previous counts which reached more than 90 percent.
Meanwhile, the census covered the highest number of people since this was first measured 28 years ago, with a combination of census forms and data collected by other agencies.
Stats NZ general manager of Statistical Delivery - Population and Housing Sean Broughton said 98.9 percent of the population was covered.
"The Post-enumeration Survey [PES] provides an independent measure of census coverage," he said.
"The results show that through a combination of 2023 Census forms and the inclusion of administrative data collected by other agencies, an overall coverage rate of nearly 99 percent was achieved."
An estimated 116,000 people were not counted at all, while 58,800 people were counted more than once or counted in error.
Broughton said results from the survey would be used to update population estimates and projections published in 2025.
All of New Zealand's largest ethnic populations experienced higher coverage in the 2023 Census compared with previous censuses, he said.