Stats NZ has released the following:
The data needs of Ethnic Communities are the focus of a new relationship agreement between Stats NZ and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.
This month the two agencies have signed a relationship agreement that reinforced a commitment to working together on key data and statistics initiatives that support the needs of Ethnic Communities, including the planning and design of the next census.
A shift to an admin data first census model will see Stats NZ using more of the information already collected by government, known as administrative (admin) data, supported by information collected through a new annual census survey to produce census statistics.
Stats NZ will also be working to develop tailored solutions to meet the data needs of communities who are not always well represented in admin data.
The relationship agreement outlines how the agencies will work together to make sure the insights and perspectives of Ethnic Communities are considered throughout the planning and design of the census.
“We can’t do this alone. Bringing community voices into the design process helps us build a census that works better for everyone, and supports trust, understanding, and participation,” Stats NZ Deputy Chief Executive Tia Warbrick said.
“Ethnic Communities represent a broad and diverse range of cultures, languages, faiths and experiences. Understanding these is so important to meeting the data needs of these communities.
“Our partners at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities will provide vital expertise, advice, and connections with these communities to support meaningful engagement and better outcomes.
“Stats NZ will continue to hold responsibility for official statistics and data leadership, while working closely with the Ministry for Ethnic Communities to ensure engagement is meaningful and well-informed. This allows us to play to our respective strengths.”
The agencies will also work together to strengthen ethnicity data quality and standards adoption, ensure Ethnic Communities’ data needs are visible and addressed over time, and support consistent use of data guidance across the public sector.
More information, including about opportunities for people to participate in a collaborative design process, will be provided over the coming months.
Link to source: Better data for ethnic communities | Stats NZ