61943 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister of Statistics

61943 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister of Statistics: How, if at all, does Stats NZ conduct a review of geographic boundaries?

Hon Andrew Bayly: The process for setting and reviewing statistical geographic boundaries is a methodological matter, which is the sole responsibility of the Government Statistician under Section 16 of the Data and Statistics Act 2022. I am advised that the five-yearly review of statistical geographies conducted by Stats NZ examines population and address data, aerial imagery, input from councils and other stakeholders and any other available information. The review identifies where statistical geographic boundaries need to be adjusted to include areas of actual and anticipated growth over the next five to eight years to maintain the population targets required for statistical outputs and to improve community of interest delineation. Consultation on statistical geographic boundaries is available to all members of the public through the Stats NZ website. Stats NZ endeavours to publicise the review as widely as possible advertising via Stats NZ’s regular public channels and by contacting key stakeholders directly. Stats NZ’s engagement with Iwi utilises Te Arawhiti’s engagement framework and guidelines, which complement its own Whakapapa engagement approach. Stats NZ does not conduct a review of statistical geographic boundaries outside of the regular five yearly review period. A planned release schedule for all geographies created and published by Stats NZ, which is publicly available on Stats NZ’s website, is necessary to provide certainty and minimize changes for the wide range of customers that incorporate the statistical geographies into their systems for a variety of purposes.