8. Question No. 8—StatisticsHon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) to the Minister of StatisticsQuestion No. 8—Statistics8. Hon Dr NICK SMITH (National—Nelson) to the Minister of Statistics: Does he stand by his statement this census looks to be more successful than previous censuses that we're meeting all of our targets" and when will core public sector agencies like health and education have access to reliable census population data for allocating public funding?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House) on behalf of the Minister of Statistics: In answer to the first part of the question yes in the context that it was made. In answer to the second part of the question the Government Statistician has made it clear that on 29 April she'll publicly announce when Census 2018 data will be available.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Why does the Minister continue to claim that Census 2018 was a success when Professor Spoonley from Massey University calls it "a failure" when Victoria University—SPEAKER: Order! The member's had two legs.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Well there's a series of academics—SPEAKER: Well if there's a series of statements the member can have a series of supplementaries.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Well perhaps I start from the beginning again Mr Speaker?SPEAKER: OK.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Why does the Minister continue to claim Census 2018 was a success when academics and researchers have described it as "a failure" "a disaster" "a shambles"—SPEAKER: Order! Hon Dr Nick Smith: —as "useless" and "a tragedy for New Zealand"?SPEAKER: The member can answer any bit of that he wants. Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: As I was very clear in my first answer the Minister stands by the comment made in the context that it was made. It was made in April last year in the context of questions in particular about online response rates and other targets.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Does he agree with the senior staffer from within Statistics New Zealand who has stated publicly and I quote "There is no accountability or responsibility being taken [within Statistics New Zealand] for what [has turned] out to be the worst census in over 50 years."; if so why is he telling people who are questioning Statistics New Zealand to "back off"?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I disagree with the premise of the member's question. The ultimate accountability for the census rests with the Government chief statistician.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Which Government and what Minister was responsible for establishing this census process and when did that happen?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: The parameters for the census and the budget for the census were established before this Government took office. I understand that during the course of that process there were three different Ministers responsible for overseeing it.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Can he confirm that from October 2017 when he became the Minister of Statistics until March 2018 he did not have a single specific briefing with Statistics New Zealand to ensure all was well with the delivery of Census 2018 when his predecessor Maurice Williamson in the same months prior to the successful 2013 census had five such specific briefings?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I can confirm that the Minister is a much harder worker than Maurice Williamson and has many other responsibilities.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Does the Minister regret his decision as Minister of Statistics to be overseas for the very week of the 2018 census and not follow the example of his ministerial predecessors who actively promoted participation now that we know that over 700000 New Zealanders failed to complete Census 2018?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I think if the member seriously believes that Maurice Williamson urging people to fill in the census form had any material impact on the result rate for that census the member is dreaming.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Does the Minister regret last March and April dismissing the concerns that were expressed by census field officers by the media and by Opposition members of Parliament over the obvious implementation problems occurring around the country with the census implementation when at that time they could have been addressed and now it has been confirmed that over 700000 New Zealanders did not complete Census 2018?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I reject the premise of the question. Ultimately the responsibility for dealing with any such concerns rests with the Government chief statistician."