6 April 2023
Brendan Atkinson
[email address]
Tēnā koe Brendan
Official Information Act (OIA) request: Source of address data used for the census
On 10 March 2023
, you contacted Stats NZ requesting, under the Official Information Act
1982 (the Act), the fol owing information:
“I am curious about the source of the address data used to both distribute the
census letters and also check when people request a code for their address”
Stats NZ has a central reference list of addresses throughout the country cal ed the
Statistical Location Register, which is the main source of address information used for
the 2023 Census.
The Statistical Location Register was developed in readiness for the 2018 Census and is
constantly updated with data from Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), NZ Post, and
data captured via numerous Stats NZ surveys. Stats NZ sources address information
from LINZ, who holds New Zealand’s official addresses as allocated by territorial
authorities, and information from NZ Post’s National Postal Address Database, which is
used to update gaps or missing data.
In addition to being used for the Operation Address File for the 2023 Census, the
Statistical Location Register is also a core Stats NZ asset with data being used across
other Stats NZ surveys. For more information on the process Stats NZ fol owed to
develop a list of al private and non-private dwel ings in New Zealand for the 2018
Census, see:
https://www.stats.govt.nz/methods/creating-the-census-dwelling-frame-for-
the-2018-census
In the event where an individual uses the ‘request an access code’ function on the 2023
Census online form, there is a static list of addresses from the above sources that was
loaded at the beginning of the 2023 census operation. If an address is not on the static
list, the individual can contact Stats NZ online or call
0800 CENSUS and we can
manual y create their address in the system.
Al new address information received, whether from someone contacting census, or a
census field staff carrying out field canvassing, is passed on to our office-based address
verification team whose job is to assess the quality of the information. This team of
[Statistics New Zealand request email]
toll-free 0508 525 525
stats.govt.nz
8 Willis Street, Wellington
PO Box 2922, Wellington 6140
address verification analysts use data from the aforementioned sources (LINZ, NZ Post
and other surveys), and public record data, to complete their checks to ensure the
information is genuine and meet the standards for use. The result of their work is also
checked before the new address information is sent to the Statistical Location Register.
This information is not added to the static list of addresses during census operation but
can be used to guide some census field visits and mailing reminders.
Should you wish to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact Stats NZ at:
[email address].
If you are not satisfied with this response, you can contact us via the email address above
and/or you have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or 0800 802 602.
It is Stats NZ’s policy to proactively release its responses to official information requests
where possible. This letter, with your personal details removed, wil be published on the
Stats NZ website. Publishing responses creates greater openness and transparency of
government decision-making and helps better inform public understanding of the reasons
for decisions.
Ngā mihi nui, nā
Kate Satterthwaite
General Manager, External and Government Relations
Office of the Chief Executive, Stats NZ
[Statistics New Zealand request email]
toll-free 0508 525 525
stats.govt.nz
8 Willis Street, Wellington
PO Box 2922, Wellington 6140
