ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
The New Zealand Census 2011, scheduled to be held on March 8, will not take place.
Government Statistician Geoff Bascand and Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson have announced that the Census will not be held.
Mr Williamson said Mr Bascand has advised him the census could not be successfully completed because of the recent Canterbury earthquake which has caused widespread devastation and death _ 147 have so far been confirmed dead.
The decision has been made after extensive consultation.
“This is not the time to go door to door asking New Zealanders for information when they’re dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake,” Mr Williamson said.
“It’s unthinkable that we would ask this of people. It would be an unfair burden and distraction at a time when they are grieving.”
There has been extensive damage to Statistics New Zealand buildings with significant impacts on census staff.
Mr Bascand said he acknowledged the decision would have consequences for people who used the census data for their work.
“We will now investigate the feasibility of alternative options,” Mr Bascand said.
The New Zealand Census 2011, scheduled to be held on March 8, will not take place.
Government Statistician Geoff Bascand and Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson have announced that the Census will not be held.
Mr Williamson said Mr Bascand has advised him the census could not be successfully...
The New Zealand Census 2011, scheduled to be held on March 8, will not take place.
Government Statistician Geoff Bascand and Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson have announced that the Census will not be held.
Mr Williamson said Mr Bascand has advised him the census could not be successfully completed because of the recent Canterbury earthquake which has caused widespread devastation and death _ 147 have so far been confirmed dead.
The decision has been made after extensive consultation.
“This is not the time to go door to door asking New Zealanders for information when they’re dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake,” Mr Williamson said.
“It’s unthinkable that we would ask this of people. It would be an unfair burden and distraction at a time when they are grieving.”
There has been extensive damage to Statistics New Zealand buildings with significant impacts on census staff.
Mr Bascand said he acknowledged the decision would have consequences for people who used the census data for their work.
“We will now investigate the feasibility of alternative options,” Mr Bascand said.
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