10 July 2024
James
[FYI request #27207 email]
Tēnā koe James
Official Information Act (OIA) request: 2023 Census communications and
remuneration for collection at Manurewa Marae
On 10 June 2024
, you contacted Stats NZ requesting, under the Official Information Act
1982 (the Act), the following information:
•
All communications if any, regarding the possible use of census data for election
purposes at Manurewa Marae between June 1st 2023 and May 31st 2024.
•
A breakdown of renumeration payable for the collection of census forms via
Manurewa Marae. This should include incentives if any for respondents, incentives
if any for collectors, hourly rate, completion bonuses if applicable and total amount
payable to the agency/contracted party operating out of the Marae that was
responsible for the census form collection.
The Official Information Act requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no
later than 20 working days after the day we received your request. With regard to the first
part of your request, we are unfortunately unable to meet the time limit and therefore writing
to notify you of an extension of the time to make our decision, to 31 July 2024.
This extension is necessary because investigations required to make a decision on your
request are ongoing, and as such a proper response cannot reasonably be made within
the original time limit.
Stats NZ is undertaking an investigation into the allegations of misuse of census data
collected at Manurewa Marae, led by independent investigator Doug Craig. The scope of
the
investigation, and terms
of reference, are available on our
website
at:
www.stats.govt.nz/news/scope-of-investigation-into-alleged-misuse-of-census-data/. The investigation is still in progress. As mentioned in the
hyperlinked statement, the
investigation is expected to be concluded no later than 31 July 2024.
In terms of the funding provided for the collection of 2023 Census forms via Manurewa
Marae, Stats NZ contracted directly with Manurewa Marae for two collection initiatives:
[email address]
toll-free 0508 525 525
stats.govt.nz
8 Willis Street, Wellington
PO Box 2922, Wellington 6140
•
Community Counts Agreement with Manurewa Marae – 7 February 2023
This was an arrangement for Manurewa Marae to host 2023 Census assisted
completion events (ACE) – to promote and support individuals to complete their census.
The total funding for this initiative was $20,000 excluding GST.
While the contract specifies a number of deliverables, including planned engagements
and events, the funding is not broken down by deliverable. As such, I am refusing your
request under section 18(g) of the Act as the information you have requested is not
held by Stats NZ and I have no grounds to believe that the information is held by another
department or Minister of the Crown or organisation.
•
Field Operation Collaboration Agreement 2023 Census – 8 February 2023
This was an agreement with Manurewa Marae to have marae workers accompany
census collectors during field collection activity – to increase participation in census
and build trust in the community.
The total funding for this initiative was $35,000 excluding GST. This figure is broken
down in the contract as follows:
Item
Cost
Koha (lump sum)
$10,000
Walkalong Workers (Manurewa Marae Navigators) – during non-
$19,200
response follow up
($30 per hour rate)
Training (non-response follow up, Health and safety) – includes
$800
venue hire
Completion payment
$5,000
Total
$35,000
Additionally, Stats NZ partnered with Te Pou Matakana Limited trading as Whānau Ora
Commissioning Agency (Whānau Ora) for Whānau Ora to collect approximately 50,000
completed Individual Forms from Māori residing in the Auckland region who had not yet
completed their 2023 Census. This would be achieved by Whānau Ora visiting
approximately 10,000 dwellings during May and June 2023. The total funding under this
contract was $5 million excluding GST.
A breakdown of this figure was included in the contract for payment in three stages as
follows:
• A fixed fee of $2,500,000.00 (excl. GST) upon execution of the agreement.
• Milestone 1 – $1,250,000.00 (excl. GST) upon report on the target of 5,000 non-
responding and/or partial responding dwellings that have been engaged with by 1
June 2023.
[email address]
toll-free 0508 525 525
stats.govt.nz
8 Willis Street, Wellington
PO Box 2922, Wellington 6140
• Milestone 2 – $1,250,000.00 (excl. GST) upon report on the remaining target of an
additional 5,000 non-responding and/or partial responding dwellings that have been
engaged with by 1 June 2023.
o Milestone 2 also required the delivery of a report on insights and learnings
to be delivered by 31 July 2023.
It was also noted in the agreement that “part of the Whānau Ora operational model will
include whānau contribution to encourage and support whānau to participate in the 2023
Census. The programme could include the use of grocery vouchers. It is anticipated that
up to $1 million dollars may be invested in this aspect of the programme” (of the total $5
million funding).
Whānau Ora subcontracted the collection of 2023 Census forms to a number of different
subcontractors, including Manurewa Marae. Stats NZ does not have the specific allocation
of funding for each subcontractor under the contract. As such, I am refusing your request
under section 18(g) of the Act as the information you have requested is not held by Stats
NZ and I have no grounds to believe that the information is held by another department or
Minister of the Crown or organisation.
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 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, will 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
Deputy Chief Executive and Chief of Staff
Office of the Chief Executive
Stats NZ
[email address]
toll-free 0508 525 525
stats.govt.nz
8 Willis Street, Wellington
PO Box 2922, Wellington 6140
