Why the Census matters for Digital Inclusion
Stats NZ is asking for public feedback on a big shift in how the Census will be done. This consultation is a rare chance to influence how we measure digital inclusion in Aotearoa for the next decade.
Stats NZ is proposing an admin-data-first Census that would use existing government data as the starting point, then fill the gaps with a yearly survey and community-designed solutions to produce the final Census results.
Census data shapes decisions about where resources and investment go. If the Census doesn’t fully capture who is offline or struggling with affordability, those communities stay invisible in policy and funding.
We’re preparing DECA’s submission now and want to include your insights. You can read the full consultation document on the Stats NZ consultation page.
If you want to skip to the parts we’re focusing on, you’ll find the page numbers below.
*After attending the Stats NZ consultation hui on 27 November, we’ve added updated insights below to help our community stay informed about what’s changing. The following files were sent to us from Stats NZ post hui
1. Responses to questions asked during the Census customer information session – Online 27.11.25
2. Customer Information session pdf
The new admin-data-first Census model
Part 3, pages 13–19
Stats NZ is proposing to move from a traditional, once-every-five-years Census to an admin-data-first model. This means using information that government agencies already hold, such as education, health, or housing data, as the main source for Census results. Gaps or missing information would then be filled through a smaller annual survey and through community partnerships that help reach groups not well covered by admin data.
Stats NZ says this approach could make Census data more timely, flexible, and cost-effective. It would allow new data to be produced each year instead of waiting five years for a full Census. It could also reduce pressure on households to complete long forms.
But there are important equity challenges to consider. People or communities who have less contact with government services, such as those experiencing homelessness, recent migrants or people wary of sharing personal information, might be left out of the admin data. The quality and completeness of government-held data also varies, which could affect how accurately small population groups are represented.
*Update 27 Nov:
At the consultation hui, Stats NZ confirmed that only around half of Census 2023 variables currently exist in admin data, and the quality varies significantly across agencies. They also noted that ethnicity, disability and address data are priorities for improvement. The new annual survey will cover about 60,000 households each year (roughly 3 percent of the population), with 3–5 years of pooled data required before reliable estimates are available at smaller geographic levels. As more government services move online, those who are not digitally connected or confident risk being left out twice, first from accessing essential services, and then from being counted in the data that shapes future decisions. Without intentional design and partnership, this new model could widen the gap between those visible in government systems and those who are not.
For DECA, this shift raises key questions about data justice and digital equity.
Who is visible in government data, and who is not?
*Update 27 Nov:
Stats NZ also confirmed that the Census is shifting from a de facto “where were you on Census night” count to a “usual residence” model based on 30 June each year. This removes several past questions but increases reliance on accurate, up-to-date address data, which remains patchy for highly mobile whānau
Can this new model provide the same depth of information about digital access, affordability, and skills that communities and policymakers need?
We’ll be sharing feedback on how this new approach can meet digital equity information needs, and what safeguards or partnerships are needed to make sure no one is left out of the national picture.
Key question:
Do you have feedback on the benefits, opportunities, and challenges of the proposed new Census approach?
Working with communities
Part 3, pages 16–17
Stats NZ recognises that admin data can miss the richness of people’s lived experience.
They’re proposing tailored solutions to be designed with iwi Māori, Pacific peoples, LGBTIQ+, disabled, ethnic and people experiencing homelessness.
These could include community-led data collection, new survey modules or frameworks built with and for specific groups.
*Update 27 Nov:
At the hui, Stats NZ emphasised that some communities will lose visibility in the new model unless tailored solutions are developed. Small iwi, rainbow communities, disabled people and transient whānau were highlighted as groups likely to experience data loss without intentional partnership approaches.
For DECA, this is a chance to make sure digital inclusion and access are woven into these partnerships from the start.
It’s also part of a wider advocacy goal: ensuring Census and admin data feed into a national digital inclusion index that gives a clearer picture of who is being left behind and where action is most needed.
A digital inclusion index tracks digital access, affordability, skills and trust, helping Aotearoa measure progress and target investment where it matters most. Australia already has a strong model through the Australian Digital Inclusion Index, and the UK government has begun defining and measuring inclusion through its Digital Inclusion Action Plan.
DECA are working towards an index for Aotearoa New Zealand, bringing together community, government and industry partners to build a shared evidence base for action on digital equity.
Key question:
How should Stats NZ work with communities to design and deliver tailored data collection approaches that make sure Census information is relevant and inclusive, especially for groups who are often under-counted or missing from data?
Access to telecommunication systems
Part 5, pages 33–35
Stats NZ is reviewing how it measures digital access in the Census. At the moment, questions are asked at the household level; for example, whether a home has a phone or internet connection. But in practice, access to digital tools is personal and uneven. The review is asking whether this information should also be collected at the individual level.
For DECA, this is a key digital equity issue. Measuring only household access hides the real picture. It misses situations where:
devices are shared within a whānau or household
some people rely on mobile-only connections
prepaid or limited data plans make access unaffordable
connectivity is unreliable or not suitable for study, work, or health needs.
*Update 27 Nov:
Stats NZ confirmed they are considering collecting cellphone access at the individual level. They also noted that all survey questions will need to work across three modes: online, phone interviews and in-person interviews. Mode effects may limit how well sensitive or detailed digital access questions perform unless carefully designed.
Without that detail, the Census can’t show who is genuinely connected and who is not. It also makes it harder for government and community partners to design fair policies and target investment where it’s needed most.
We’ll be calling for Census questions that capture real digital access, not just whether people can connect, but how well and how affordably they can use digital tools. This should include measures of reliability, affordability and digital capability.
Better data in this area would also feed into a future digital inclusion index, helping Aotearoa track progress over time and see where digital access is improving, or where gaps are widening.
Key question:
How should Stats NZ ask about phone and internet access so the data is more accurate, inclusive and practical for decision-making?
Please email or call us with your feedback. We’re happy to hui if that suits you better.
support@digitalequity.nz
Ph: 0221719278
