Buttabean to front the drive for Māori and Pacific sign ups for Census 2023

Dave Letele (aka the Brown Buttabean) will promote Cencus 2023. Photo / NZME

Community activist Dave Letele, also known as The Brown Buttabean, has signed on as an ambassador for Census 2023.

After a disastrous 2018 Census where it’s estimated more than 30 percent of Māori failed to take part, the government is investing heavily in getting a better result.

More than $110 million is being spent by the government on next year’s census. This includes establishing community hubs and employing people like Letele.

“This is how central and local governments make decisions on health and roading and even things like playgrounds,” Letele says.

“The reason for me wanting to do it is to really encourage our people, Māori and Pasifika especially, to participate and actually complete the census.”

Te Ao Māori Census director Atawhai Tibble agrees and says Māori participation is crucial.

Dave Letele is back out in the community - this time to promote Census.

“If you have manuhiri at your marae, it’s much easier to provide food for your guests if you know how many.”

In 2018, the census was run online, and there was a major fall in the number of Māori who completed the survey.

The previous National-led government had decided to shift the census to a mostly online survey and, at the same time, directed Stats NZ to cut costs over two census cycles. That resulted in lower-than-usual coverage.

Tibble says Stats NZ has learned its lesson.

“We sat with iwi and listened and learned and we changed our approach.”

The campaign is to help sign up 3500 census collectors. Letele says Māori and Pasifika communities fare better when they are greeted face-to-face.

“For our people especially it’s good to have locals. So we are looking for local community people to get out there in your local community and talk to people.”

For more information go to persolkelly.co.nz/censusjobs/