Rnz: Nine To Noon

Data and statistics experts warn the costs of getting administrative data up to scratch, building the infrastructure need, the potential costs of getting it wrong ... could far outweigh the cost of undertaking a traditional census. Stats NZ confirmed it would scrap the census earlier this year, and replace it with data collected already via other government and non-government entities, as well as some smaller surveys. The decision was made against advice provided by the expert advisory group that Stats NZ convened. The advisory group was not asked to consider the cost implications of its recommendations. But cost was a factor in Stats NZ's decision to not proceed with another census. Polly Atatoa-Carr is Associate Professor at Te Ngira Institute for Population Research which is part of Waikato University and Tahu Kukutai - also with Te Ngira Institute - is a Professor of Demography and specialises in indigenous data and policy discuss with Kathryn.