Abstract

An unexpectedly low response rate to the New Zealand 2018 Census led to innovative use of administrative data to fill gaps where we did not have responses from the field collection. Our ability to rapidly develop new methods for the 2018 Census highlighted the benefits of the research undertaken by the longer-term census transformation programme into greater use of administrative data for the population census and the wider population statistics system.

Building on the experience in 2018, the 2023 Census is a combined census model by design, with survey responses supplemented by administrative data. This provides assurance that the census data will remain of a high standard despite increasing collection challenges.

We describe our approach to understanding the quality of administrative sources and how that quality influences the use of these sources in the context of the census. We also discuss broader aspects including engagement with customers and recent changes to legislation that provide Stats NZ with a stronger enabling environment for the use of administrative data for statistical purposes.