6. Census 2018—Accessibility and Online FormsGOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green) to the Minister of StatisticsCensus 2018—Accessibility and Online Forms6. GOLRIZ GHAHRAMAN (Green) to the Minister of Statistics: How is this year's census different from previous years?Hon JAMES SHAW (Minister of Statistics): The 2018 census is running a digital-first approach which means encouraging people who can to complete their census forms online. Statistics New Zealand's target is to have 70 percent of census responses collected online. More than half a million people have already completed their census forms online and Mr Speaker you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that there have been more online responses from people aged 65 and over than from people aged 15 to 25 so far.SPEAKER: I'm not quite sure what the member's saying.Golriz Ghahraman: Is this the first census that has been available to complete online?Hon JAMES SHAW: No. The 2006 and 2013 censuses had an option to be completed online also. The online response rate for the 2013 census was 34 percent. However these censuses were run as a traditional paper-based census with an option to complete forms online so a 34 percent response rate was considered a success. This time round it's an online census with the option to use paper forms. With a focus on a digital-first strategy Statistics New Zealand aims to achieve a 70 percent online response rate.Golriz Ghahraman: What if I don't want to fill it out online?Hon Members: Oh!Hon JAMES SHAW: You can tell members of the Opposition will be very keen on the answer to this one. Anyone who would prefer to fill out a paper form can do so. The census contact centre is open and is taking requests for paper forms. Forms will be posted out and people can take part once they receive them. Anyone can request a paper form by phoning 0800 CENSUS or 0800 236 787. Paper forms can also be ordered through the census website.Golriz Ghahraman: What if I'm overseas on 6 March?Hon Members: Oh!Hon JAMES SHAW: Clearly the Opposition is not terribly interested in the census this year. [Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! The member is.Hon JAMES SHAW: As the census is a count of everyone in New Zealand on census day anyone who is not in New Zealand on census day does not need to complete a census form.Golriz Ghahraman: Why is the census so important?Hon Members: Oh!Hon JAMES SHAW: Again while members of the Opposition may not be terribly interested the information that is collected in the census helps us to understand more about the people who live here in New Zealand. It helps with making decisions about where our schools our kōhanga reo our hospitals and our houses need to be. It helps with decisions around public transport and roading. Councils iwi community groups and businesses all use census information to help work out the core needs of their area and to make the case for improvements to their communities. We would encourage everyone in New Zealand to make sure that they do fill out their census forms on the 6th.Hon Gerry Brownlee: If someone has filled out their census form already as the Minister has today indicated many people have and then they get on a plane or a boat and leave the country on the 6th will there be a mechanism whereby they are able to recall their information so his census is accurate?Hon JAMES SHAW: If anybody has any doubts they can ring the contact centre. As I said that number is 0800 CENSUS and I thank the member for his question and the opportunity to make sure that he can clarify that. It does reinforce the point that if anybody wants to fill out their—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! Order!Hon JAMES SHAW: If anybody wants to fill out their form online the thing to do is to fill it out as if knowing where they're going to be on the 6th rather than where they are today.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Does he consider that last statement to be rather unfair on those who might win Lotto between now and then?SPEAKER: No no no no no. I think we'll leave the member's optimism out of it.Golriz Ghahraman: Supplementary sir? Hon Members: Oh!Golriz Ghahraman: This is a good one. What steps is Statistics New Zealand taking to ensure the elderly and those with disabilities are able to participate in the census?Hon JAMES SHAW: [Minister waiting for quiet] SPEAKER: No I think we'll be waiting a long time. We've got a valedictory at 4 o'clock so I think the Minister had better answer now.Hon JAMES SHAW: Statistics New Zealand is working with organisations and groups representing people who may require support to complete their census forms online. They've produced a step-by-step guide easy read and large print versions of the census letter and also videos in New Zealand Sign Language. Statistics New Zealand has the support of organisations such as SeniorNet to provide guidance and free computer use for people over the age of 50 to fill in their census at over 70 learning centres across the country. If people are unable to complete their census forms by themselves or without the support of a family member friend or carer then the Statistics New Zealand field teams will follow up after census day and provide support and assistance to people who need that help to fill out their forms.