Census 2023

Published on 13 February 2023

The next census will be held in early 2023. Census Day will be Tuesday 7 March 2023.

The census is a nationwide survey that happens every five years. Every person who is in the country on the night of Tuesday 7 March 2023 will need to do the census.

By taking part in the census, you help create a better understanding of your community and what it needs. People’s responses are combined to produce statistics that provide a picture of life in Aotearoa New Zealand and how it is changing. Your identity is kept private and confidential.

Iwi, community groups, local and central government, and businesses use this census information to make decisions about funding and providing services that affect you, your whānau, and your community.

Stats NZ is doing some things differently for the 2023 Census. There will be more census collectors and more assistance for people who want help to fill out their census forms. You will have more choice about how you take part too. You will be able to fill out census forms either online or on paper, and there will be more alternate formats to support disabled people.

Stats NZ will deliver instructions about how to do the 2023 Census to every place where people live or stay. Look out for these instructions from February 2023.

To learn more about the 2023 Census, visit www.census.govt.nz