The public are being asked to get in touch if they haven’t received census forms by the weekend. “We encourage anyone who hasn’t received their census forms by Saturday to call our helpline and we will get the forms to them,” said Mr Pink. The helpline number is 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787).
Anyone who now expects to have extra people staying with them on Census Day on 7 March can also call the 0800 CENSUS helpline to request extra forms.
Statistics New Zealand reports that its team of 6,400 collectors is on track to have all census forms delivered in time for Census Day next Tuesday.
Government Statistician Brian Pink said, “Our collectors are doing a great job and we expect to have delivered 90 percent of all forms before Saturday, 4 March. Public support has also helped to make the collectors’ job run smoothly.”
“There will be a big push this weekend to get the remaining 10 percent of forms delivered, as it is essential that everyone takes part in the census,” said Mr Pink. “The census provides the most complete picture of life in our cities, towns, suburbs and rural areas. It is a vital source of information for informed decision making.”
Collection of census forms starts on 8 March, the day after Census Day. From this date, collectors will return to collect completed census forms, which should only be handed to an official Statistics NZ collector. “I encourage all New Zealanders to make sure they are dealing with an official Statistics NZ collector,” said Mr Pink. “If they are unsure about the collector’s identity, they should ask to see their ID, or call our helpline.”
Statistics NZ collectors have an official photo ID badge and a large blue bag with the words ‘Statistics New Zealand’ clearly visible. Brian Pink
Government Statistician
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