FNDC supports extension of 2023 Census

Information being collected as part of the national census this week is vital for many of the decisions the council makes on behalf of Far North residents, so a decision by Stats NZ to extend the 2023 Census collection period for Northland has been welcomed.

The council is urging anyone in the Far North who has not yet completed the census to do so and supports the Government funding an extension of the national stocktake for all regions impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.

More information on the decision is available on the Stats NZ website, but the key details for areas impacted by the cyclone are:

• an extension of time to do the census with on-the-ground support until 1 June 2023 where needed, and further time to complete the census online
• amendments to how the census will be collected including more community-led initiatives to support people to participate. 

Government Statistician and Stats NZ Chief Executive Mark Sowden said: "We have worked closely with key partners including iwi collectives leading census collection in their rohe (in Northland, Bay of Plenty, and Te Tairāwhiti) to understand community sentiment to doing the census. 

"Giving people the time and space they need to respond to the devastating impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and recent flooding is the priority, alongside producing census data that will play a critical role in the recovery of the areas impacted by the cyclone.

"Amending and extending the current census operation strikes the right balance between the needs of impacted communities and the ability to produce quality and timely census data.”

Stats NZ says that anyone who has not received a census pack can still take part, either by filling in the census online, or requesting that paper forms be sent to them.

To complete the forms online, go to the Census website and request an access code be sent to you by SMS text message. If you have any questions, call 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787).