Almost 4.5 million people have returned their census forms so far, and households that have not taken part yet can expect to receive a Final Notice about the census, says Stats NZ.

'We have received Individual Forms from the equivalent of 88 per cent of the estimated population," says Census and Collection Operations Deputy Government Statistician and Deputy Chief Executive Simon Mason.

"This is a raw tally of the forms as they come in – before any data processing – but this gives us confidence we will be able to deliver quality national population data for Aotearoa New Zealand,”

'Our efforts for the remaining few weeks of the 2023 Census are focused on getting those who have yet to do the census to fill out their forms, to support people in cyclone-affected areas, and continue our efforts at community events.”

Census form returns for people of Māori and Pacific ethnicity are lower than the rest of the population, equating to 72 per cent and 76 per cent of the estimated Māori and Pacific populations respectively.

'We are focusing effort on lifting responses from Māori and Pacific peoples, with the support of partnerships and collaborations,” says Simon.

'For example, we have partnered with the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency to support completion of census forms from non-responding households in Auckland.

'We welcome the experience and knowledge of collaboration partners, especially to connect with people in communities who are more reluctant to engage directly with the government.

'This work will continue for the rest of May and into June to ensure we give every person the opportunity to contribute to the data needed for communities, iwi, businesses, and local and central government to make the decisions that affect us all.”

On May 3, census collectors stopped visiting households, except in the Far North, and Te Tairāwhiti and Hawke's Bay regions where the census collection has been extended to June 1 following Cyclone Gabrielle.

Public and community organised events to support people to complete census forms continue to June.

The public 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787) helpline will remain open until June 30, which is the final date for the 2023 Census.

For people returning paper forms, they will need to arrive with Stats NZ by June 30 to be counted.

From yesterday, around 55,000 Final Notice packs with new access codes and paper forms are being mailed to non-responding households.

'The Final Notice sets out the legal requirements of the census, including avoiding a fine up to $2,000 by taking part,” says Simon.

'Please don't delay – this is your last reminder. You need to return your census forms to us now.”

Simon says Final Notices are not being delivered to households in Te Tairāwhiti and the Hawke's Bay.

1. To complete the census online now:

• Go to www.census.govt.nz.
• Click on the button 'Start your census”.
• Use one of the access codes provided in the letters/packs delivered to your household, and follow the questions asked.
• You will be asked to complete a few questions to set up your household, and then fill out the Dwelling Form and Individual Forms for each person at your address on March 7 2023.

If you need an access code or paper form, you can order them online at www.census.govt.nz or call 0800 236 787 (0800 CENSUS).

2. New Māori and Pacific resources

The most recent census campaign materials are available at:

• www.census.govt.nz/maori-resources/ (includes videos, posters, and social media content including in te reo Māori)
• www.census.govt.nz/pasifika/ (includes videos, posters, and social media assets in all nine Pacific languages)

Note the information provided on these pages may be used freely across any platform, but please attribute to 'Stats NZ for the 2023 Census” in media.

Please contact census.communications@stats.govt.nz for any help using these materials.

3. Census support events

Information on the dates and locations of community events where people can get help to complete their census forms is available at:

• www.census.govt.nz/census-support/