Census team assembled to help ‘complete the picture’

COUNTING ON COMMUNITIES: The Census team who are getting out and about delivering and collecting Census 2023 forms. Back row (from left) are Robyn Tomlinson, Kate Gibson, Memorees Tuhi, Moira Ropitini, Leslie Walker, Phillipa Kirikiri, Huia Dyjak (team leader) and Courtney Papuni. Front: Daria Peta, Fiona Wairau, Lorna Whaanga, Jayne Matetaka, Mark Randall and Allison Maurirere (team leader). Picture by Paul Rickard

A locally led and nationally supported taskforce has been set up to deliver the 2023 Census in Hawke’s Bay and Te Tairāwhiti, Stats NZ says.

This comes after the Census collection in Hawke’s Bay and Te Tairāwhiti was extended to June to enable people to prioritise family wellbeing, homes and businesses following the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We are taking our time to connect with local iwi and hapū and with community organisations and leaders to plan how to collect the Census in our communities impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and flooding events,” Te Ahu Kauawhi taskforce lead Annette Papuni-McLellan said.

“The aim is to deliver an approach so each community can be counted in the 2023 Census in ways that work best for them.

“We have named the taskforce Te Ahu Kauawhi, which means to extend an embrace because that is the approach on-the-ground Census teams want to lead with in their local communities.

“As locals they understand what people have been dealing with and Te Ahu Kauawhi will focus effort and support in ways considerate of people’s situations.”

Census collection activities have started and collectors will be in affected communities where needed until June 1.

“The plan is to provide as much support as people want or need,” Ms Papuni-McLellan said.

“We will minimise the impact on people, attempting to complete the Census in one visit from a Census collector, with help available to complete Census forms in your home if needed.

“People can choose to do the Census online or attend one of the many Census events that will be run to help people take part in it.

“We are taking the lead of iwi, community organisations and regional employers to deliver these.”

A list of local events is available on the Census website. This will be updated as additional events are confirmed.

Completing the Census is an opportunity for people to help shape the future of their region and Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Our aim from the outset has been for the 2023 Census to be the most inclusive yet and Te Ahu Kauawhi, alongside the iwi collection efforts of Toitū Tairāwhiti and Te Whānau ā Apanui, will help those in areas affected by recent weather events be counted,” said Simon Mason, the deputy government statistician and Census and collection operations deputy chief executive.

“At its heart, the Census is about community and whānau. It is about people and what they need.

“The Census gives the most complete picture of our communities and helps iwi, community groups, councils, the Government, and businesses make decisions about the funding and location of infrastructure, services and support needed by communities.

“This is even more important in times of recovery from events like Cyclone Gabrielle.

“Ultimately, Census data will contribute to the long-term recovery of these regions.”

Over the rest of the country, Census collectors are following up with people who have not yet completed the Census.

If people haven’t done the Census yet, they don’t need to wait for a collector.

Those with internet access can do the Census online in English or Māori. Request an access code at www.census.govt.nz or call 0800-236-787.

People can request paper forms and information in multiple languages and formats.