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Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson has welcomed today’s release of a large amount of 2013 Census data by Statistics New Zealand.

“The information, which includes national highlights, regional data and information about Māori, will help shape how public money is spent over the next few years, including on health, education and transport. 

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says provisional data shows 117 same-sex couples were married in the September quarter.

The first same-sex marriages in New Zealand took place on 19 August and Statistics New Zealand has today released the number of same-sex marriage registrations through to the end of September.

“Marriage registrations of female couples (61) just exceeded those of male couples (56). Forty-seven of the 117 marriages were couples who transferred their civil union to marriage.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says the latest release of information from the 2013 Census shows good growth in the regions.

Statistics New Zealand today published detailed population information about regional council, territorial authority, area unit and Auckland local board counts.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson today welcomed the early release of regional population information from the 2013 Census.

Statistics New Zealand has released detailed population information about regional council, territorial authority, area unit and Auckland local board counts.

“The release of this information comes two months ahead of schedule and provides insights into the population, which will help to inform decision making.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says the appointment of Liz MacPherson as Government Statistician and Statistics New Zealand chief executive will continue a long history of official independent advice for the Government.

Ms MacPherson starts at Statistics New Zealand today following her role as deputy chief executive at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says good progress has been made in the first year of a new commitment to producing the country’s most important statistics, called Tier 1 statistics.

In August 2012, the Cabinet agreed there should be 162 Tier 1 statistics, with the full list to be in place by 2016.

Statistics New Zealand now administers 101 Tier 1 statistics, 17 of which have been upgraded to the list in the past 12 months.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says a new departure card is in circulation from today.

The simplified form features seven fewer questions for visitors than the old one. Visitors will be required to answer six questions before signing the declaration. New Zealanders will have to answer 12 questions.

“The new card reflects that we don’t need to know certain information, such as the residential addresses visitors stayed at while in the country. We’ll only ask for information that we can’t get from anywhere else.

Researchers will be able to access certain statistical data through a secure system launched this week, Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says.

Researchers approved by the Government Statistician can now remotely access microdata about people, households or businesses, but with identifying characteristics removed.

Until now, researchers used Statistics New Zealand’s data labs to access this information.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson announced today that a new departure card will be rolled out next month.

The simplified card will feature seven fewer questions for visitors than the current one.

“We’ll only be asking for information that we really need and can’t get from anywhere else. We don’t need to know the residential address where visitors are staying in New Zealand.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson announced today that almost two million census forms were completed online in the 2013 Census.

This represents about 35% of all Census forms that were filled out. The Statistics New Zealand target was 35%.

“The uptake of the online option makes New Zealand a world leader in terms of collecting census forms online. At its peak on Census Day on March 5th the system handled 130,000 forms an hour.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says the online response to the census has been going great, but there’s still a way to go.

“Overnight the number of individual and dwelling forms completed online cracked the 1.7 million mark, which is a fantastic achievement.

“Statistics New Zealand’s census website operated without any issues. At its peak it was handling about 130,000 forms per hour, well within the system’s capacity.

Today is census day – the day New Zealand takes a snapshot of how many people and dwellings there are in the country.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson is encouraging everyone to fill out their census forms – online if possible.

“Census information is used by businesses, iwi, councils and the government to make decisions on issues that affect us all.

Tomorrow is census day and everyone stands to benefit if they fill in their forms, says Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson.

The census is the five-yearly snapshot of New Zealand and is the only opportunity to get an official count of everyone and their dwellings.

“Statisticians love this sort of thing but the real benefit is in how the information is used.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says the level of online participation for the census has been strong.

As of today, more than 300,000 individual and dwelling forms had been submitted ahead of census day next Tuesday.

“While census is a snapshot of the country on March 5th, people can complete forms online ahead of time, particularly if they know what they are going to be doing on the day.

“The response has been great thus far and will soon surpass the 2006 overall total of 391,000 forms completed online.

Minister of Statistics Maurice Williamson says Statistics New Zealand is on track with the delivery of millions of internet access codes and paper forms for the March 5th Census.

More than 7,000 census collectors have been walking, driving and even boating to reach every home in New Zealand to deliver forms.

“Collectors will be delivering right up to census day, so there is no need to worry if you don’t have your forms yet.”

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says extensive efforts are being made to reach ethnic communities ahead of the upcoming census on March 5th.

Census data is used extensively in central and local Government planning, including to help determine funding for district health boards.

“Statistics New Zealand has a team of 19 community liaison advisers working to promote the importance of census within Asian, Māori, Pacific Island and other ethnic communities, which have traditionally been undercounted.

New Zealand is gearing up for the largest government-run activity this year, the Census on March 5th.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says more than 7,000 census collectors will from tomorrow start delivering census forms to every home.

“Included with forms is an internet access code for people to complete them online, which is a secure, quick and easy option.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says the resignation of Government Statistician Geoff Bascand leaves a big gap to fill.

Mr Bascand has resigned to take up a position at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. He finishes at Statistics New Zealand on May 24th.

“Geoff Bascand has been the Government Statistician ever since I became Statistics Minister. In the four years we’ve worked together I’ve been grateful for his advice and determination to make statistics useful,” Mr Williamson says.

Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says it’s now just one month until the Census takes place.

“The 2013 Census is likely to be the largest activity undertaken by any government department this year as we seek to count every person in New Zealand on Tuesday, March 5th.”

The 2011 Census was postponed due to the Canterbury earthquakes.

“Statistics New Zealand is expecting over two million census forms to be completed online, with internet access codes being delivered alongside paper forms,” Mr Williamson says.