What is the census?

The New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings is the official count of how many people and dwellings there are in New Zealand. It provides a snapshot of our society at a point in time and helps to tell the story of its social and economic change. The first official census was run in 1851, and since 1877 there has been a census every five years, with only four exceptions. 

 (Source: Stats NZ website, Introduction to the census) 

Collecting the census

Until 2018, census forms were hand-delivered by census enumerators (interviewer / data collector). This required some workers to travel to remote areas of New Zealand, and also to locations such as hospitals, campgrounds and workplaces. There was one form per person and a second form with questions about the dwelling. 

From 2006 it was possible to complete the census online, although paper forms are available on request.  

Opposition to the census

Counting the census data

Cancelled or postponed censuses

Since 1881, the census has been held every five years, with a few exceptions due to both planned and unplanned events. The census was cancelled in 1931 because of the cost to the government during the Great Depression, and in 1941 due to the Second World War. The planned 1946 census was moved to September 1945 so that the population results could be used in an electoral redistribution before the 1946 election.

The 2011 census was also cancelled after the Christchurch earthquake. Instead of waiting another five years for the census data, Statistics New Zealand scheduled a census for 2013. 

Using the Census data

 Census information is used by government agencies, local authorities, businesses, community organisations, and the public for developing and implementing new policies, research, planning, and decision-making. It helps us make decisions about how to best use public funding, especially in areas of health, education, housing, and transport.

The census is also the primary source of information used for deciding the number of general and Māori electorates, along with data from the corresponding Māori Electoral Option.

(Source: Stats NZ website, Introduction to the census)

Further reSources

Explore digitised copies of Census of Population and Dwellings reports and results, from 1871 to 1916, on the Stats NZ website.