Where you can do census online

The big count takes place tomorrow and this time the organisers of the census are encouraging Kiwis to do the business online.

For those without access to a computer that can pose a problem but Wanganui's Digicom group has the answer.

The census officially happens on March 5 and Digicom is setting up 13 centres across the city providing free online access for anyone who wishes to take part electronically, rather than filling in the paper form.

Completing the forms online is easy and means collectors do not need to come back to your home for your paper forms.

Wanganui district councillor Jack Bullock, who chairs the Digicom group, said he believed it was essential that all Wanganui people had an opportunity to do their census online if they wanted to.

"The census is important for government and local councils because it determines our population, how funding for things is allocated, and for many other reasons to help us plan to better support our community," Mr Bullock said.

Richard Kingi, of Statistics NZ's Whanganui community liaison team, has been visiting the region and said he was delighted to find so many opportunities for people in Wanganui to access the census online.

"In 2006, only 7 per cent of census forms were completed online, but this year it's hoped as much as 35 per cent will be done in this format," Mr Kingi said.

People will need to take along their internet access codes, which have been distributed with the census forms.

The online venues and their opening times are:

Ake Ake Centre (Yes to Youth), 14 Rangiora St, Castlecliff, from 10am-2pm

Alexander Heritage and Research Library, Queen's Park, 1-5pm

Born and Raised Pasifika, 2 Mitchell St, Aramoho, 8.30am-4pm

Citizens Advice Bureau, 120 Guyton St, 9.30am-3.30pm

Gonville Cafe Library, 44 Abbot St, from 9am-5pm

Putiki Marae Cyber Whare, 25 Takarangi St, 9am-3pm

Tawhero School, Totara St, 9am-2.30pm

Davis Central City Library, Queens Park, 9.30am-6pm

Wanganui Girls' College, Jones St, 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm

Wanganui i-Site Visitor Information Centre, 8.30am-5pm

Whanganui Learning Centre, 232 Wicksteed St, 9am-3.30pm

YWCA, 61 Bell St, 9am-3pm

Awa City Computer Clubhouse, 7 Park Place, open for young people aged 16-24 y between 1-7pm.

Visit www.steppingup.org.nz/census-2013.