The Government will scrap the traditional paper-based census from 2030 and shift to a modern, data-driven model, Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced.
The overhaul will see the nationwide five-yearly census replaced with a new approach based on administrative data already collected by government agencies, supplemented by annual surveys and targeted data collection to ensure accuracy.
Dr Reti said the shift reflects a “reset” for Stats NZ, aimed at delivering higher-quality, more timely data while avoiding the ballooning costs and underperformance that have plagued recent censuses.
“Relying solely on a nationwide census day is no longer financially viable,” said Dr Reti. “In 2013, the census cost $104 million. By 2023, that had soared to $325 million, and the next was projected to reach $400 million over five years.”
“Despite these escalating costs, successive censuses have been beset with issues or failed to meet expectations. By leveraging existing data, we can produce key census statistics every year and better inform decisions that affect people’s lives.”
Stats NZ will continue to run annual surveys to verify data quality and fill any gaps, particularly to ensure smaller or harder-to-reach population groups are fairly represented.
As part of the reset, the Government will invest $16.5 million to introduce a monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 2027, bringing New Zealand in line with many other advanced economies.
“Inflation affects interest rates, benefit adjustments, and household budgets,” said Dr Reti. “Timely data helps ensure Kiwis are better supported in a fast-changing environment.”
The Government will also fund updates to align New Zealand’s economic statistics with new international standards that reflect changes such as the rise of digital services and the modern global economy.
“Modern, internationally aligned statistics will support trade and investment, helping drive economic growth and job creation,” he said.
Dr Reti said the reforms mark a broader shift in direction for Stats NZ, focusing on efficiency, relevance, and reliability.
“Some outputs have not met the standard expected of a world-class statistics agency. We’re getting back to basics – measuring what matters,” he said. “Our goal is a modern, efficient, and reliable data system that delivers the insights New Zealand needs now and into the future.”
