95bFM Concerns raised for minority communities over scrapping the Census
25 June 2025
Interview by Joel Armstrong, adapted by Leilani Cardosa
The University of Auckland’s Liza Bolton says the Census is the “gold standard” of data collection and is concerned that moves to change the way the country accesses national data will harm minority communities.
The government has announced the cancellation of the next scheduled Census in 2028, instead opting for a new data collection model for Aotearoa that will start in 2030, moving away from the traditional system that has been in place since 1851.
The new approach will incorporate administrative data, along with targeted data collection and smaller annual surveys.
Statistics Minister, Shane Reti, says the Census is “no longer financially viable,” and that the move will help New Zealanders save money and time, and provide more timely insights into the country’s population.
However, concerns have been raised about how moving away from the Census to collect national data will negatively impact minority groups, such as Māori, Pacific, disabled, rural, and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Professional Teaching Fellow in the Department of Statistics at the University of Auckland, Dr Liza Bolton, told 95bFM’s The Wire that the Census is the “gold standard [of data collection]”.
“So much of the information we rely on every day — like knowing which cities are the most diverse or understanding how our population is aging — comes from the Census.”
She adds that the Census helps inform policy decisions, such as where to build essential infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and healthcare services.
Despite sympathising with the cost burden of running the Census, she says saving money comes at the cost of data quality and equity.
Bolton believes the new approach does not adequately engage with minority communities, who have historically been underrepresented in national data.
“I am yet to be convinced that the current data choice they want to change to [by] adding more surveys is going to do a better job of serving these communities without a lot more work done first.”
She is disappointed the new approach does not mention Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori data sovereignty; falling short of adequately engaging with Māori.
“It's legally enshrined that Statistics New Zealand, the Government, and statisticians need to make sure that the data collection methods they have are serving the needs of tangata whenua.”
“The Census has been an essential tool for iwi-Māori, supporting decisions that have real impacts on resources, funding, and community development. Losing that consistent, reliable data source could set back the progress that’s been made in making these systems more equitable.”
Through the updated approach, administrative data will be collected through education, tax, and health records. However, Bolton believes our current systems are not equipped to link this data effectively.
“In other countries, people often have a single ID number that connects them across government departments. Here, we’ve got multiple unlinked identifiers like tax numbers and health IDs, which makes it harder to build a complete picture.”
Bolton says that without proper investment in infrastructure, this may result in fragmented and inconsistent data, particularly for smaller or vulnerable communities.
While smaller, annual surveys are expected to fill some remaining gaps, Bolton is sceptical.
She says that this is due to people becoming increasingly fatigued by frequent surveys, as evident by a worldwide decline in response rates.
Bolton speculates the shift may damage public trust in government data systems — particularly when many New Zealanders are unaware of how their personal information is used, and may result in fewer people partaking in surveys or trusting survey results.
She says the Census is a long-term cultural asset.
“Censuses tell us what we think is important to measure. They help shape how we see ourselves as a nation.”
“Losing that could change the way we understand who we are.”
