By 'Alakihihifo Vailala, PMN
The traditional Census will be replaced with a combination of government data and smaller annual surveys. Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) repeatedly warned its minister that replacing the traditional population-wide survey with administrative data would have negative consequences for data on Pasifika communities.
They cautioned that this change would undercount Pacific people and lead to poor policy decisions, yet the changes proceeded.
In records obtained under the Official Information Act (OIA) by PMN News, Pacific Minister Dr Shane Reti was advised in February that the alteration to data-collection methods would have adverse effects on information relating to Pacific people.
Reti was warned that this could lead to flawed decisions based on that data.
Despite these warnings, the Government announced in June that it would replace the conventional paper-based census with a new approach that relies on administrative data, supported by a smaller annual survey and targeted data collection. The new system is set to begin in 20230.
Reti, who is also the Minister of Statistics, says the new approach aims to save time and money.
Pacific Minister Dr Shane Reti Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
"Relying solely on a nationwide census day is no longer financially viable. In 2013, the census cost $104 million. In 2023, costs had risen astronomically to $325 million and the next was expected to come in at $400 million over five years," Reti says.
"Despite the unsustainable and escalating costs, successive censuses have been beset with issues or failed to meet expectations."
The response letter from the MPP expressed concerns raised by data experts who believe the reforms could further degrade data quality for Pacific people.
"Administrative data are largely based on who can access services and are therefore known to undercount Pacific peoples," the letter states.
The MPP stresses that the proposed changes by Stats NZ are likely to further damage the quality of data on Pacific people, households, and populations.
It pointed out that Pacific people have unique family characteristics and public service needs that are not adequately captured in administrative data.
The letter goes on to say that the transformation could shift the burden of data compliance and costs to other government agencies, which may not be well-equipped to manage these changes.
It also warned that costs associated with collecting population data might increase rather than decrease due to the new approach.
In a statement to PMN News, a spokesman for Reti defended the changes, saying, "By using information already collected by the government, we will deliver more relevant, useful and timely data to help inform quality planning and decision making, which will deliver benefits for Pacific communities."
Alongside the new annual sample survey, Stats NZ plans to work with communities, including Pacific people, to develop tailored solutions, such as targeted surveys, that address their specific data needs.
Administrative data will also be improved to include variables such as ethnicity, age distribution (younger and older people), and new immigrants to New Zealand.
Advancements will be made in other areas, such as languages spoken, housing quality, and family data.
"Data accuracy, detail, and coverage will improve over time, as admin data improvements are implemented, and more data is collected through the annual survey and tailored data collection solutions."
-This article ewas first published by PMN
