2013 Census
products and services
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Citation
Statistics New Zealand (2013). 2013 Census products and services. Available from
www.stats.govt.nz.
ISBN 978-0-478-40818-8 (online)
Published in February 2013 by
Statistics New Zealand
Tatauranga Aotearoa
Wellington, New Zealand
Contact
Statistics New Zealand Information Centre: [email protected]
Phone toll-free 0508 525 525
Phone international +64 4 931 4610
www.stats.govt.nz
Contents
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4
Purpose............................................................................................................................ 4
Overview of the census ................................................................................................... 4
Census products and services are based on the needs of our audiences ..................... 4
Timing of 2013 Census information releases .................................................................. 5
2 Products we create using census data ....................................................................... 6
Table products ................................................................................................................. 6
Summary products........................................................................................................... 6
Interactive tools................................................................................................................ 7
Microdata ......................................................................................................................... 7
Supporting information..................................................................................................... 8
Other products ................................................................................................................. 9
3 Services we provide based on census data ............................................................. 10
Information Centre / enquiries ....................................................................................... 10
Electoral servicing.......................................................................................................... 10
4 Audience summary table ............................................................................................ 11
5 References.................................................................................................................... 13
List of tables and figures
Figure 1. Statistics NZ’s 2006 audience model ............................................................... 5
Table 1. 2013 Census products and services: Audience summary table ..................... 11
3
1 Introduction
Purpose
The paper provides an overview of the 2013 Census products and services. It includes
brief descriptions of the core 2013 Census products and services, along with their
intended users, or audiences.
Overview of the census
The Census of Population and Dwellings is the official count of how many people and
households there are in New Zealand.
Information from the census helps determine how billions of dollars of government
funding is spent in the community. Census information is used by councils, community
groups, iwi, and businesses to help make decisions about which services are needed and
where they should be located. These services include hospitals, kōhanga reo, schools,
roads, public transport, and recreational facilities.
Statistics NZ will produce a variety of 2013 Census data and data-based products.
Census products on our website will range from theme-based QuickStats, designed to be
used by members of the public, to the NZ.Stat tool, which is mainly intended for a
professional audience. Data support services from the Statistics NZ Information Centre,
including customised requests, will continue to be available.
Our website – www.stats.govt.nz – is the main way to access data from the 2013 Census.
All of our standard published census results will be available free of charge through the
website.
All possible steps will be taken to ensure that products and services from the 2013
Census:
• are consistent with what was produced from the 2006 Census
• improve the quality and availability of existing products
• fill gaps in the 2006 Census products and services, as identified by data users,
through both existing products and a limited number of new products.
Census products and services are based on the needs
of our audiences
We have taken a collaborative and user-focused approach to developing the products
and services for the 2013 Census. We identified our audiences using the audience
analysis methodology outlined in Content Management Bible (Bob Boiko). Knowing our
audiences has allowed us to produce products and services that meet the particular
needs of each audience.
To ensure consistency with products and services of the 2006 Census, the 2013 Census
products and services were developed based on our 2006 audience model. We identified
three broad audiences, as shown in the inverted pyramid (figure 1).
Please note that our audience model has since changed from that outlined below.
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2013 Census products and services
Figure 1. Statistic s NZ’s 2006 audi enc e model
Figure 1
Statistics NZ’s 2006 audience model
The public audience is made up of all members of society who want information for their
own interest or on behalf of another organisation.
The professional audience is made up of professionals in the public, private, and
educational sectors who use and analyse statistics for policy-making and other high-level
endeavours.
The technical audience is made up of professional and academic statisticians working in
the area of statistical methodology, plus expert data users.
About half of the products and services in the 2013 Census products and services have
been designed with a particular audience in mind. Other products and services are
designed for more than one of these audiences because there is such wide interest.
Timing of 2013 Census information releases
The first public release of the 2013 Census data will be in December 2013. Once we
have released this information, we will be able to fill requests for customised data.
A phased release of free census data products will occur over the subsequent 18 months.
Before any census data is released to the public, we will first use it to calculate the
number of Māori and general electorates. The Government Statistician will announce the
number of general and Māori electorates for the next two general elections on 7 October
2013.
All information included in 2013 Census products and services will be reported in a way
that makes it impossible to identify any person or household. Personal information is
protected by the Statistics Act 1975 and is kept confidential by Statistics NZ.
5
2 Products we create using census data
Table products
Population and dwelling tables
Population and dwelling tables show census night populations and usually resident
populations, as well as the number of occupied and unoccupied dwellings. The tables will
show the populations of regional councils, territorial authorities, and area units.
The Population and dwelling tables are primarily intended for a public audience.
Census totals by topic
Census totals by topic provide national totals at the lowest (most detailed) level of the
classification for key variables.
Classifications and related statistical standards has more information about
classifications, including a definition, and a list of the classifications we use.
Census totals by topic is primarily intended for a public audience.
Special output geography tables
These simple tables provide key information about people in the following areas:
• regional summary – New Zealand’s regional councils and territorial authorities
• electorates
• district health board areas.
These tables are primarily intended for a professional audience.
Meshblock dataset
The Meshblock dataset will contain counts starting at the smallest geographic unit for
which we collect statistical data (a meshblock, which can vary in size from part of a city
block to large areas of rural land) for selected variables from the 2013, 2006, and 2001
Censuses. The 2001 and 2006 data will be rebased to 2013 Census boundaries or areas.
The Meshblock dataset will contain counts for regional councils, territorial authorities,
area units, and meshblocks, and can be integrated with databases or mapping systems
to assist analysis and decision-making.
The Meshblock dataset is primarily intended for a professional audience.
Summary products
QuickStats
QuickStats is a series of theme-based products with simple text, graphs, and tables.
There will be two types of QuickStats: QuickStats about a place and QuickStats about a
subject.
• QuickStats about a place – information about a geographic area, including regional
councils, territorial authorities, and area units. QuickStats about a place will be
supported in more detail in Tables about a place at regional council and territorial
authority levels.
6
2013 Census products and services
• QuickStats about a subject – individual topic-themed products, giving a broad
picture of census results. There will also be a QuickStats on national highlights,
including information about Māori. QuickStats about a subject covers a number of
topics including work and unpaid activities, income, culture and identity, and
families and households. Tables will also accompany each topic.
The QuickStats products are primarily intended for a public audience.
Profiles
Profile products present a wide range of information on the location and social and
economic well-being of the respective population groups. For 2013, profiles will be
prepared for iwi and ethnic groups.
• Iwi profiles – individual profiles will be produced for all iwi with a population of 1,000
and over in the 2013 Census who are listed in our iwi classification. In addition, 13
group profiles will be produced for selected groupings of iwi including one for
people of Māori descent who did not know their iwi, did not answer the iwi question,
or whose answer to the iwi question could not be classified.
• Ethnic group profiles – will be introduced for the first time following the 2013
Census based on strong interest from different user groups. We will produce
profiles for ethnic groups with a population of 3,000 or more. We will also produce
profiles for each of the seven Pacific groups for which a profile was done following
the 2001 and 2006 Censuses.
The profile products are primarily intended for a public audience.
Interactive tools
We will also provide access to 2013 Census data through interactive tools on our
website. These tools will help you extract data on different subjects.
Interactive tools include:
• Interactive Boundary Maps – where you can find social facts about geographic
areas in New Zealand based on 2013 Census data, including numbers of people
and households.
• NZ.Stat – a web tool that has replaced Table Builder. NZ.Stat will be one of the
main means of accessing 2013 Census data tables. We will provide access to
tables on a number of topics at different geographic levels, including regional
councils, territorial authorities, and area units. You can view, select, and download
data in a range of common formats such as Excel and .csv.
The Interactive Boundary Maps are primarily intended for a public audience.
NZ.Stat is primarily intended for a professional audience.
Microdata
Confidentialised unit record files and the Data Lab
Confidentialised unit record files (CURFs) are unit record data that have been modified to
protect the confidentiality of respondents while maintaining the integrity of the data.
CURFs can be useful for a wide range of exploratory research.
Researchers will be able to apply for access to the 2013 Census CURF. Access is
carefully controlled to ensure that data is not misused. The Data Lab provides
researchers with secure computer facilities in our Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch
7
2013 Census products and services
offices. A remote-access Data Lab service will also be operating by June 2013, allowing
researchers to request access to microdata at their own place of work.
Strict eligibility criteria apply and access is governed by the requirements of section 37 of
the Statistics Act.
The CURF and Data Lab programme operates on a cost-recovery basis. Both services
are primarily intended for a technical audience.
Customised datasets
Customised datasets are designed specifically for a particular research project. They only
contain the population and variables of interest, at the level of detail requested (or
granted).
We make other modifications to data in these datasets. These may include changing
variables so they are comparable over time if the researcher is conducting time series
analysis, or linking information from different datasets into one, such as individual and
dwelling information.
Customised datasets operate on a cost-recovery basis. They are primarily intended for a
technical audience.
Supporting information
Census products will be accompanied by appropriate information about the data.
Introduction to the census
Introduction to the census provides an overview of the 2013 Census of Population and
Dwellings. It provides information on what to expect for census day, what happens during
each phase of the census cycle, and how the census has changed over time.
Introduction to the census is a web-based product with three sections:
1. What happens to your census forms?
2. 2013 Census overview
3. History of the census in New Zealand.
Introduction to the census is primarily intended for a public audience.
Information by variable
Information by variable provides definitions and other information (metadata) about each
of the output variables available from the 2013 Census. Details include the definition,
non-response rate, comparability with 2001 and 2006 Census data, and information
about the classification.
Information by variable is primarily intended for a professional audience.
2013 Census data dictionary
The 2013 Census data dictionary provides a list of the variable information available from
the 2013 Census. It represents all the 2013 Census data available. The information is
categorised into parts including dwelling, household, family, personal, and geographic
information.
The dictionary is primarily intended for a technical audience.
8
2013 Census products and services
Definitions and forms
Definitions and forms provides definitions for terminology used in outputs from the
census. It also provides copies of the forms from the 2013 Census (including the online
form), and forms for previous censuses (where available) dating back over 100 years.
Definitions and forms is primarily intended to be used as a reference document by a
professional audience.
Other products
Electoral districts and populations – information release
The information release 2013 Electoral Districts and Populations contains data about the
electoral population, and the number of electorates. It consists of a media release, an
information release, data tables, and a methodology paper about how electoral districts
are allocated. The electoral release will be available on our website from 7 October 2013.
Following each census, the Government Statistician is required under the Electoral Act
1993 to determine the number of general and Māori electorates using census data. The
Representation Commission uses this and other census information to determine the
boundaries of all electorates.
The electoral release is primarily intended for a public audience.
Methodology papers
While a ‘minimal change’ approach was taken to the 2013 Census of Population and
Dwellings, we changed some of our methods to reflect real-world change and improve
data quality.
We recognised that some of these changes would impact on our users so we committed
to consulting with users where appropriate and making sure we publicised decisions as
quickly as possible.
Methodological papers are targeted at our technical audience – professional and
academic statisticians working in the area of statistical methodology, plus expert data
users.
The mathematics of electoral district allocation in New Zealand based on the outcome of
the 2013 Census and the Māori Electoral Option 2013 is an example of a methodological
paper to be released as a result of the 2013 Census.
These papers are primarily intended for a technical audience.
9
3 Services we provide based on census data
Information Centre / enquiries
Our Information Centre staff know what information is available and how it can best be
used. Our staff act as guides to our information.
Simple queries are answered free of charge. We may have to charge you for more
extensive queries, but will always give you a free no-obligation quote before progressing
with any request.
Each Information Centre has a collection of Statistics NZ publications and Internet
access. The publications can be browsed and copied but material cannot be borrowed.
Contact details for the Information Centre are available on our website.
The services of the Information Centre are primarily intended for a public audience.
Electoral servicing
The Electoral Act 1993 requires that all electorate boundaries be reviewed by the
Representation Commission (an independent body that decides the boundaries of the
general and Māori electorates).
Statistics NZ has a responsibility under the Electoral Act 1993 to calculate Māori and
general electoral populations and determine the number of Māori and general
electorates. Based on the latest electoral population figures, the electoral quota (the
average population in an electorate) is calculated.
We also work with Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and the Electoral Commission
to service the Representation Commission as they redraft boundaries to meet the
electoral quota. The electoral population of each electorate that the Representation
Commission defines must lie within 5 percent of the electoral quota.
LINZ (for the Representation Commission) uses Statistics NZ data to calculate the
provisional electorate boundaries and requests that we recalculate the electoral
populations for the proposed electorate boundaries. The recalculation process is to
ensure that the new electorate boundaries are within the 5 percent tolerance of the
electoral quota.
After the public consultation on the proposed electorate boundaries, the Representation
Commission reviews the proposed electorate boundaries and LINZ (for the
Representation Commission) requests that we recalculate the electoral populations a
third time so they can set the final electorate boundaries.
The audience for electoral servicing is the Representation Commission.
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4 Audience summary table
Tabl e 1. 2013 C ensus pr oduc ts and ser vic es: Audi ence summar y table
Table 1
2013 Census products and services: Audience summary table
Primary
Products
Brief product description
audience
Secondary
audience
Table products
Population and
dwelling tables
Census night and census usually
resident counts, as well as counts for
occupied and unoccupied dwellings.
Public
Professional
Census totals
by topic
Counts at the lowest (most detailed)
level of the classification for key
variables.
Public
Professional
Special output
geography
tables
Information about people in specific
New Zealand geographical areas:
regions and territorial authorities;
electorates; and District Health Board
Areas.
Professional
Public
Meshblock
dataset
Counts starting at the smallest
geographic unit for which we collect
statistical data for selected variables
from the 2013, 2006, and 2001
Censuses.
Professional
Technical
QuickStats /
Tables about a
place
Information about a geographic area,
supported in more detail by Tables
About a Place.
Public
Professional
QuickStats
about a subject
Topic-themed products giving a broad
picture of census results including a
report on the national highlights.
Public
Professional
Iwi profiles
Information on the social and economic
well-being of large iwi and 13 other
selected groups of iwi.
Public
Professional
Ethnic group
profiles
Information on the location and social
and economic well-being of a number
of ethnic groups.
Public
Professional
Summary
products
11
2013 Census products and services
Interactive tools
Interactive Boundary
Maps
Social facts about geographic
areas in New Zealand.
Public
Professional
NZ.Stat
Web tool (replacing Table
Builder) that allows users to
create and download their own
tables on various topics.
Professional
Technical
Confidentialised unit
record files (CURFs)
Unit record data used for a wide
range of exploratory research,
and accessed through the Data
Lab.
Technical
Professional
Customised datasets
Datasets designed specifically for
a particular research project.
Technical
Not
applicable
Introduction to the
census
Outlines what happens to census
forms, an overview of the 2013
Census, and history of the
census in New Zealand.
Public
Professional
Information by variable
Definitions and other information
about each of the output
variables.
Professional
Technical
Data dictionary
A catalogue of the variable
information available from the
2013 Census.
Technical
Professional
Definitions and forms
Provides definitions for
terminology used in outputs and
copies of current and previous
census forms.
Professional
Technical
Electoral Districts and
Populations –
information release
2013 Census and Māori Electoral
Option 2013 data is used to
calculate the number of Māori
and general electorates.
Public
Professional
Methodology papers
Provide technical information on
how methodological changes
were carried out for the 2013
Census.
Technical
Professional
Microdata
Supporting information
Other products
12
2013 Census products and services
Services
Brief service description
Primary
audience
Secondary
audience
Information
Centre /
enquiries
Information Centre staff will answer
simple questions (free of charge) and
respond to requests for more detailed
information (may be a fee).
Public
Professional
Electoral
servicing
LINZ (for the Representation
Commission) calculates the provisional
electorate boundaries then requests
Statistics NZ to recalculate the
electorate populations for the proposed
electorate boundaries.
Representation
Commission
-
5 References
Boiko, B (2002). Content Management Bible. New York: Hungry Minds Inc.
13