"Becoming a census collector is a great opportunity to help collect information that will be used to make decisions affecting New Zealand and its communities.
"The collected information will be used to make future decisions on hospitals, schools and roads. It will also show how communities have changed since the last census in 2006," Mr Alexander said.
Census collectors will be tasked with delivering internet Access Codes and paper forms to every home in New Zealand from 16 February 2013.
People interested in applying for a census collector role can go to www.census.govt.nz/jobs.
The 2011 Census was cancelled following the Christchurch earthquake, making this year's census one of the most important in recent times, 2013 Census general manager Carol Slappendel said.
The disruption caused by the earthquake would have made census collection in the city difficult, if not impossible. Because the city is the second largest in New Zealand, it was not considered viable to conduct a census until Christchurch was ready.
"For Christchurch it means the city will have crucial information as it rebuilds. Health, education and other community services around the country will also have what they need for their planning.
"We also know Government, local government and many others are keenly awaiting the results of this census so that they can use the information to make well-informed decisions for our country and communities in the future."
Census collectors will visit about 1.8 million homes, delivering 6.4 million census forms (4.6 million individual and 1.8 million dwelling forms), and internet Access Codes. Collectors will be encouraging people to complete their forms online.
Everyone who is in New Zealand on 5 March 2013 must fill in a census form.
"Normally it takes four years to gear up for a census, but for the 2013 Census we have had just two years from the time the 2011 Census was cancelled, Ms Slappendel said.
"The effort has been extraordinary.
"We look forward to making the census results available from December 2013."
