What happens if I don't fill in the census?

Tuesday, 6 March 2018

Stats NZ is hoping 70 per cent of all census forms will be completed online.

Tuesday is census day - the day every five years, or longer if interrupted by earthquakes, when the Government tries to count every single person in the country, and find out where everyone is living, as well as some other stuff.

So, what happens if you don't fill in the form - either online, or on paper?

It's census day and despite complaints about the new online format, Statistics New Zealand says the response so far has been promising, with at least 1.7 million people having completed the census by the beginning of March 6. (Video first published

You certainly won't be allowed to forget about it. The easiest thing to do if you don't get around to it by midnight Tuesday, is to do it on Wednesday, or as soon as possible.

In fact, the second question on a Statistics New Zealand page with information about the census is: 'I forgot to complete the census forms on 6 March 2018. Can I complete them later and submit them?'

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The answer: 'Yes, please complete your forms as soon as possible.'

If you don't, here's what Stats NZ has to say: 'After census day, any household who is yet to complete their census forms will be contacted again by letter.'

A LETTER - SO WHAT?

Well it doesn't stop there. Expect a knock on the door.

'Households who haven't completed their forms after these reminders will be visited by our field teams,' say Stats NZ

'If people still refuse to take part after these visits, then Stats NZ may consider prosecution.'

The Statistics Act 1975 requires everyone in New Zealand on census day to take part.

People who choose not to fill out their census forms can be fined between $50 and $500.

In 2013, Stats NZ announced about 100 people were being prosecuted for not completing their census forms.

In 2006, the Government department prosecuted 72 people for not completing the census, resulting in 41 convictions.

HOW WILL THEY KNOW?

Within each household, one person needs to complete the household setup form. That gives Stats NZ summary information about all the people staying at each dwelling, or who usually live there but are away.

According to Stats NZ information, that also creates the correct number of individual forms so everyone staying in the house on March 6 can fill in their own information.

Everyone in each house doing the census online should complete and submit the census form by midnight Tuesday. Those filling in paper forms are also provided with an envelope which they should use to post the forms to the return address. This time don't wait for someone to come and pick up the forms.

Names provided are used to match individual forms to the people listed as staying at the dwelling on census night.

Stats NZ will either know if there's no response at all from particular households, or it will know if some people listed as being at a dwelling didn't provide the information.

In other words, it will have a pretty good idea what is missing after Tuesday.

That's where the follow-up reminders and field teams come in.

WHAT'S IT ALL FOR?

Stats NZ says accurate census data is needed because it helps determine how billions of dollars of government funding is spent.

'Because the information we collect is about everyone in New Zealand, it can be used to inform decisions and make plans about services and where they should be, such as hospitals, kōhanga reo, schools, roads, and public transport,' Stats NZ said.

'Councils, iwi, and businesses use census information to help work out the core needs of their area or services. Community groups and organisations use the information to support funding applications and make the case for improvements within their communities.'

DON'T HAVE A FORM OR ACCESS CODE?

Anyone with questions can call the census helpline 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787), where staff who speak a range of languages are available.

Calling that number is also a way to request paper forms, for people who prefer the old-fashioned way, or do not have access to the internet.

Paper forms can also be requested online.

*Audio courtesy of Radio NZ