The interim response rate for the 2023 Census was 88.3%, necessitating the use of alternative data sources to complete the census file – as had happened for the 2018 Census. This report of the 2023 Census External Data Quality Panel assesses Stats NZ’s methods for completing the 2023 Census file.
The 2023 Census used a ‘combined model’ by design, which combined census responses with alternative data sources. To a large extent, the methods used by Stats NZ for 2023 Census are the same as those used in the 2018 Census, though some methodological changes have been made. Where there have been changes, this report considers how these changes are likely to affect data quality. The assessment focuses on ‘Priority 1’ individual variables as well as the ‘Activity limitations’ (Priority 3) variable, which has been examined because of the importance of this variable to the disabled community in Aotearoa New Zealand. The variables assessed are:
- Usually resident population count (total)
- Usually resident population count (by territorial authority and Auckland local board)
- Māori descent (output)
- Māori descent (electoral)
- Level 1 ethnicity
- Age
- Gender
- Iwi affiliation
- Activity limitations.
We give ratings for variables using the same five-level scale (very high, high, moderate, poor, very poor) used by Stats NZ in their data quality assurance process.
Download the full report below.
ISBN 978-1-991307-27-9
