New Zealand Abridged Period Life Table: 2012–14
(provisional)
Embargoed until 10:45am – 18 February 2015
Table
The following table is available in Excel format from the ‘Downloads’ box. If you have problems viewing
the files, see opening files and PDFs.
1. Abridged period life table, 2012–14 (provisional), using resident births, deaths, and mean
estimated resident population (2013-base)
Next release
New Zealand Abridged Period Life Table: 2012–14 (final) will be released on 18 May 2015.
Authorised by
Liz MacPherson
Government Statistician
ISSN 2422-8842
18 February 2015
Data quality
General information
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About life tables
Data source
Accuracy of the data
Timing of published data
More information
General information
About life tables
Life tables are a basic demographic tool for analysing mortality and survival. They show death
and survivorship rates at each age of life.
The life tables in this release are based on death rates during a specific period. Such tables are
called period, current, or cross-sectional life tables. Period life tables are based on the agespecific death rates of the population during a specific period of time. Life expectancy is a
summary measure of those age-specific death rates, but it is a hypothetical life expectancy
assuming people experience the age-specific death rates of that period over their lifetime.
Abridged period life tables for the total New Zealand male and female populations provide an
indication of the trends in life expectancy between the construction of complete period life tables.
Abridged life tables are available in February (provisional) and May (final) of each year.
Every five years, we also produce abridged period life tables for subnational areas using average
mortality rates for three successive years centred on a census year. They are available for all 16
regions and most territorial authority areas.
We produce complete period life tables every five years using average mortality rates for three
successive years centred on a census year. They cover the total New Zealand, Māori, and nonMāori male and female populations by single-year of age.
Data source
Abridged period life tables are based on all deaths registered in New Zealand of people resident
in each area, all live births registered in New Zealand to mothers resident in each area, and the
mean year ended December 2012–14 estimated resident population of New Zealand.
Births, Deaths, and Marriages (a division of the Department of Internal Affairs) supplies us
with birth and death registrations. Under the provisions of the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and
Relationships Registration Act 1995, every birth and death occurring in New Zealand must be
registered with Births, Deaths, and Marriages.
We produce population estimates using the most recently available census data as a base. The
estimated resident population is updated regularly for population change due to births, deaths
and net migration (arrivals less departures) of residents.
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Accuracy of the data
Births
Births data from 1991 are based on births registered in New Zealand to mothers resident in New
Zealand by date of registration. Births data exclude late registrations under section 16 of the
Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 1995. Section 16 births are those
that were not registered in the ordinary way at the time the birth occurred. Annual registrations
for births may differ from the actual number of events in a given year due to the lag between date
of birth and the date of registration and a small number of events that may never be registered.
Neonatal infant deaths
Annual registration of neonatal (infants under four weeks of age) deaths may differ from the
actual number of events in a given year due to the lag between the date of death and the date of
registration, and also under-registration. Neonatal deaths include very low birth weight extremely
preterm live births. A baby is born alive if the baby breathes or shows any other evidence of life,
such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary
muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached. All live born
infants should be registered and counted as such irrespective of length of gestation or whether
alive or dead at the time of registration. If they die at any time following birth, they should also be
registered and counted as deaths.
Deaths
Deaths data from 1991 onwards are based on deaths registered in New Zealand of New Zealand
residents by date of registration. For periods of a year or more, the difference between
registrations and occurrences is generally small, so death statistics referring to registrations are
suitable for most purposes.
Population estimates
National population estimates are produced using a component methodology where the base
population is updated for the components of population change (births, deaths, and international
migration). All population estimates have some uncertainty. Generally, the uncertainty associated
with population estimates increases as the estimates move further away from the base (starting
point). Uncertainty also increases as population estimates are disaggregated (eg by age or
subnationally).
Abridged period life tables use the mean year-ended estimated resident population of New
Zealand at 31 December for the relevant three-year period.
Demographic rates
Demographic rates from 1991 onwards are calculated using the mean estimated resident
population.
The period life tables are based on deaths averaged over three years. This is designed to reduce
the impact of year-to-year statistical variations, particularly at younger ages, where there may be
a small number of deaths and at very old ages where the population at risk may be small.
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Timing of published data
We aim to publish abridged period life tables in February (provisional) and May (final) of each
year.
Every five years, we also produce abridged period life tables for subnational areas using average
mortality rates for three successive years centred on a census year. They are available for all 16
regions and most territorial authority areas.
We produce complete period life tables every five years using average mortality rates for three
successive years centred on a census year.
More information
Statistics in this release have been produced in accordance with the Official Statistics System
principles and protocols for producers of Tier 1 statistics for quality. They conform to the
Statistics NZ Methodological Standard for Reporting of Data Quality.
Liability
While all care and diligence has been used in processing, analysing, and extracting data and
information in this publication, Statistics NZ gives no warranty it is error-free and will not be liable
for any loss or damage suffered by the use directly, or indirectly, of the information in this
publication.
Timing
Our information releases are delivered electronically by third parties. Delivery may be delayed by
circumstances outside our control. Statistics NZ does not accept responsibility for any such
delay.
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Contacts
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Christchurch 03 964 8700
Email: [email protected]
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Email: [email protected]
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