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People are saying loud and clear that they want the census to keep asking about religion.
Statistics New Zealand says that the results from the first two weeks of an online discussion forum showed most people supported keeping religious affiliation questions in the 2018 census.
For the first time, New Zealanders have been encouraged to go online to say what they think should be asked in the next census, with a new online discussion forum on the Statistics NZ website.
Census general manager Denise McGregor said that it was encouraging to see a range of people using Statistics NZ’s online discussion forum to discus the issues they cared about.
She said gender identity had emerged as one of the main talking points, accounting for over one-third of online engagement so far.
The six-week discussion forum has been set up as part of wider consultation on the content of the 2018 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings.
Statistics NZ will be facilitating discussions, and will analyse emerging themes to help with making decisions on 2018 Census content.
Factors such as statistical quality, and the length and complexity of the questionnaire will be taken into account before making any changes.
“The census needs to reflect the changing nature of society, and we have to balance that with being able to compare data over time and track trends,” McGregor said.
Statistics New Zealand has now begun accepting formal submissions on content for the 2018 Census.
“We will listen to suggestions raised in the online forums, but the best opportunity to influence census content is still to make a formal submission,” Denise McGregor said.
2018 Census has information about how to join the discussion or make a formal submission.
The online discussion forum will be live until 10 June. People can make a formal submission from 18 May until 30 June.
Following consultation, Statistics NZ will analyse the submissions, and aims to confirm final content in early 2017 for the 2018 Census.
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