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What does Statistics New Zealand do?
Statistics New Zealand leads New Zealand 's official statistics system to provide official statistics for governments and the wider community that:
- are trusted, of high integrity and quality
- provide relevant and timely information on key aspects of New Zealand's economy, environment and society.
Statistics New Zealand has primary responsibility for the collection, processing, maintenance, quality assurance, analysis, and dissemination of data, statistics and information on all aspects of population in New Zealand. This includes historical changes, census populations, current population estimates, and population projections. Visit the website for an overview of the statistical series and publications that are available.
Customer services
People wishing to obtain data or information from Statistics New Zealand may do so by:
- telephone 0508 525 525 (toll free within New Zealand)
- visiting the offices in Wellington, Christchurch or Auckland.
Further information, including site addresses, is available online.
People seeking advice on population issues may contact the Population Statistics Unit of Statistics New Zealand, by telephone 0508 525 525 (toll free within New Zealand) or by writing to:
Robert Didham
Demography Division
Statistics New Zealand
Dollan House
401 Madras Street
Private Bag 4741
Christchurch.
Resources - general information
Classifications and Related Standards System
Classifications and Related Standards System (CARS) is a fundamental source tool containing detailed information on all New Zealand classifications and standards used in data collections.
Survey Information
The index of datasets on the Statistcs new Zealand site contains a brief description of each statistical series, with information on scope, coverage, survey date, guide for use, data issues of relevance to users, access, security and privacy issues, and reports and publications. Use the survey title to access details of each survey.
Table Builder
Users may download a range of data (including census, income, injuries, etc) directly from the web. Table Builder allows users to select variables from a list of available variables at a range of levels (for example, areas are available down to area units) and build cross-tabulations to meet their needs. Variables in a table may be moved about the table to produce data in the order defined by the user. The data tables are designed to protect confidentiality in all cases.
INFOS
The INFOS (Information Network for Official Statistics) database provides self-driven, online access to approximately 2.5 million time series data, including several series of interest to population analysts. This powerful tool communicates via the Internet, and can be used to download the most up-to-date information.
Pricing information for INFOS; extensive documentation on INFOS.
Vital Statistics
Vital statistics covers births, deaths, marriages and divorces, and abortions. Statistics New Zealand produces quarterly releases. Each release contains brief commentary of the results and technical notes on the data.
International travel and permanent/long-term migration
Statistics New Zealand produces releases on a monthly basis covering both international traveller arrivals and departures and permanent/long-term migration. Each release contains brief commentary on the results and technical notes on the data.
Resources - population
Resources for Census of Population and Dwellings information.
Census publications
A wide range of census publications is available. These publications include topic-based tabular reports, together with a range of snapshots on specific topics, short leaflets on small areas, and electoral profiles. Information is also available from the same place on the development of the 2006 Census.
Population estimates
Each new set of population estimates are released as a Hot Off The Press which includes downloadable tables, commentary on trends and technical notes on methodology.
Population projections
Each new set of population projections are released as a Hot Off The Press which includes downloadable tables, commentary on trends and technical notes on methodology.
Latest national population projections; subnational population projections
National ethnic projections; subnational population projections
Family and household projections; subnational family and household projections.
Area Unit projections
National labour force projections
Regional data
Statistics New Zealand produces a wide range of regional and environmental data of interest to policy analysts.
A regional map which enables users to drill down by region to find summary data relating to the area of interest.
Quarterly Regional Review
The review brings together a range of Statistics New Zealand's regional data and external data and can be produced for any territorial authority or regional council in New Zealand. These are available on subscription.
Other publications
Publications index
Important publications related to population follow.
Demographic Trends
This annual publication contains both historical and current data with commentary.
Key Statistics
A monthly hard copy publication containing some population information along with a wide range of other statistical information.
Order online.
Key Statistics frequently contains articles on a topical issue. For example, the September 2003 volume included a discussion on teenage fertility.
Research and topic-based reports (including reports on key population issues)
Statistics New Zealand produces reports on topics of particular interest to commentators and policy analysts. Many of these have a population focus or have underlying demographic relevance.
Resources - key population issues
Ethnicity
Statistics New Zealand has currently undertaken a review of the measurement of ethnicity. Downloadable papers about the project available online.
Statistics New Zealand publishes research work on a range of topics related to ethnicity of interest to policy analysts. For example, an article on ethnic differentials and induced abortion.
Fertility
Sub-replacement fertility is a feature of the populations of an increasing number of countries.
A research report covering socio-economic characteristics and fertility based on the 1996 Census question on the number of children ever born was published in 2001.
A companion report published in February 2004 covers aspects of ethnicity and fertility.
These two reports will provide some background information on fertility trends and also form the basis of a follow-up analysis of data from the 2006 Census when this becomes available.
Urban/rural statistics
A research report on urban/rural diversity is in preparation and this is due for publication late 2004. This report will cover trends in urban and rural lifestyles and introduce issues relating to defining and analysing rural areas.
Ageing
Statistics New Zealand is currently undertaking research on population ageing in conjunction with work being carried out by a number of agencies and universities. Further details of this will be available on the website as work progresses.
Women in New Zealand
This report combines the 1996 census information with data from other sources and, where possible, provides comparative information on changes over the previous decade.
Analytical methods
This page contains links to a number of papers on methodology of interest to population analysts (including papers on cohort analysis, seasonal adjustment methods, Maori descent electoral population, Pacific people, fertility, social surveys and family analysis)
Administrative data
The following papers discuss issues related to the use of administrative data. While not specifically related to population they contain information on methodology of relevance.
Regional Input-Output Study (includes pdf)
Business Activity Statistics
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