Data and Statistics Act 2022

1: Title
This Act is the Data and Statistics Act 2022.
2: Commencement
This Act comes into force on 1 September 2022.
1: Preliminary provisions
3: Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to—
a: ensure that high-quality, impartial, and objective official statistics are produced relating to New Zealand to inform the public and inform decision making; and
b: promote consistent and collaborative practices across government in order to—
i: enable the trusted collection and use of data for the production of official statistics and for research; and
ii: minimise the burden on those providing data for the production of official statistics and for research by avoiding unnecessary duplication of requests; and
c: improve the quality of data collected across government, and eliminate gaps in data collected, to promote its usefulness for the production of official statistics and for research; and
d: protect the interests of the people and organisations represented in, or by, data that is used for the production of official statistics and for research, by providing for—
i: appropriate privacy, confidentiality, and security; and
ii: transparency about how the data is used; and
e: recognise and respect the Crown’s responsibility to give effect to the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi Treaty of Waitangi
i: the collection of data, the production of statistics, and access to, and use of, data for research as tools for furthering the economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being of Māori (including iwi and hapū); and
ii: the way in which data is collected, managed, and used for the production of official statistics and for research.
4: Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi
In order to recognise and respect the Crown’s responsibility to give effect to the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi Treaty of Waitangi
a: imposes duties on the Statistician as set out in section 14
b: sets out in section 15 sections 19 35 91
c: provides in section 17
d: in section 19
e: in section 35
f: in section 91
g: provides, in Part 5
5: Overview
1: Part 1
2: Part 2
a: the continuation of Statistics New Zealand ( section 10
b: the functions and powers of the Minister under this Act ( section 11
c: the appointment, functions, duties, and independence of the Government Statistician ( sections 12 to 17
d: the establishment and periodic review of the multi-year data and statistical programme ( sections 18 to 21
3: Part 3
a: the ways in which data may be collected by the Statistician, including the making of requests for data, the provision of data by agreement, and other methods of collection ( section 22
b: provisions relating to the power of the Statistician, and, in certain cases, public sector agencies authorised by the Statistician, to make requests for data, and the obligation to comply with requests ( sections 23 to 31
c: the authority for an individual, public sector agency, or organisation to provide information to the Statistician by agreement without a request ( sections 32 33
d: specific requirements regarding the taking of the census of population and dwellings ( sections 34 to 38
e: statistical confidentiality and the circumstances in which the Statistician may disclose information that identifies any person or organisation ( sections 39 to 42
4: Part 4
a: the matters on which official statistics may be produced ( section 43
b: the power of the Minister to direct the Statistician to produce or cease production of statistics ( section 44
c: the obligations of a public sector agency to provide information to, consult, and assist the Statistician in relation to matters concerning the production of official statistics and affecting the data that might be made available for research under this Act ( section 45
d: the ability of the Statistician to make official statistics available to any person or group of persons subject to temporary conditions about publication and disclosure ( section 46
e: limits on the use, for the production of official statistics, of data that is collected by agreement for research ( section 47
5: Part 5
a: the Statistician’s power to authorise access for research to data held by Statistics New Zealand ( sections 48 to 52
b: the Statistician’s obligation to publish information about access to data held by Statistics New Zealand for research ( section 53
c: the obligations of researchers who access data for research ( section 54
d: the power of the chief executive of a public sector agency authorised to do so by the Statistician to grant access for research in accordance with Part 5 sections 55 56
6: Part 6
a: powers of entry for the Statistician to obtain data that the Statistician considers necessary or desirable to enable the Statistician to produce official statistics ( sections 57 to 59
b: powers to issue compliance notices and infringement notices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Act ( sections 60 to 75
c: offences ( sections 76 to 89
7: Part 7
a: the power of the Statistician to set standards relating to the production of official statistics and the collection and management of data for official statistics and research under this Act ( section 90
b: amendments to other Acts to clarify the extent to which those Acts limit or prevent the provision of data to the Statistician under sections 29 30 32
6: Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— authorised person
a: in sections 61 to 67 section 60
b: in sections 69 to 73 section 68 data infringement fee infringement offence Minister Office of Parliament section 2(1) official statistics
a: produced by the Statistician or a public sector agency; or
b: produced by an individual or organisation approved in writing by the Statistician to produce those statistics organisation
a: includes—
i: any body of persons (whether corporate or unincorporated), including whānau, hapū, or iwi, other than a public sector agency; and
ii: for the purposes of Part 5
b: does not include a court or tribunal in relation to its judicial functions overseas person section 52(3) produce production provide Part 3 public sector agency section 7 regulations Statistician section 12
7: Meaning of public sector agency
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, public sector agency
a: a public service agency as defined in section 10(a)
b: the New Zealand Police:
c: the New Zealand Defence Force:
d: a statutory entity named in Schedule 1
e: the Reserve Bank of New Zealand:
f: an organisation named or described in Schedule 4 Schedule 4A
g: a board as defined in section 10(1)
h: an institution as defined in section 10(1)
i: a Crown entity company or Crown entity subsidiary as defined in section 10
j: a State enterprise as defined in section 2
k: a mixed ownership model company as defined in section 2(1)
l: the Parliamentary Counsel Office:
m: a local authority as defined in section 5(1)
8: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
The transitional, savings, and related provisions set out in Schedule 1
9: Act binds the Crown
This Act binds the Crown.
2: Roles and responsibilities
10: Statistics New Zealand
1: There continues to be a department of State called Statistics New Zealand.
2: Statistics New Zealand is the same body as the body of that name existing immediately before the commencement of this section.
11: Functions and powers of Minister
The Minister has the following functions and powers under this Act:
a: to specify the Government’s data and statistical priorities:
b: to approve the multi-year data and statistical programme required under section 18
c: to approve joint collection agreements under section 24
d: to exercise the power in section 28(3)
e: to exercise the power in section 44 Government Statistician
12: Government Statistician
1: There must be an officer appointed under the Public Service Act 2020
2: The Government Statistician is also the chief executive of Statistics New Zealand. 1975 No 1 s 13
13: Functions of Statistician
The functions of the Statistician include—
a: to collect data in accordance with this Act:
b: to manage data (including linking data to form integrated sets) for the production of official statistics and for research:
c: to produce and communicate, with or without comments, official statistics:
d: to establish and maintain the multi-year data and statistical programme required under section 18
e: to authorise access to data for research in accordance with section 48
f: to guide and direct best practice in the production and communication of official statistics:
g: to collaborate with statistics offices or agencies outside New Zealand to produce globally comparable statistics:
h: to examine any published statistics and comment on their interpretation and validity, if the Statistician considers it necessary:
i: to advise the Minister on data and statistical priorities:
j: to set standards under section 90
k: to review the production of official statistics by other public sector agencies:
l: to carry out any other functions conferred on the Statistician under this Act or any other legislation.
14: Duties of Statistician relating to Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi
The Statistician must,—
a: in performing the Statistician’s functions under this Act, recognise and respect the Crown’s responsibility to give effect to the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi Treaty of Waitangi
i: the collection of data, the production of statistics, and access to, and use of, data for research as tools for furthering the economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being of Māori (including iwi and hapū); and
ii: the way in which data is collected, managed, and used for the production of official statistics and for research:
b: build and maintain the capability and capacity of Statistics New Zealand to—
i: understand te Tiriti o Waitangi Treaty of Waitangi
ii: engage with Māori about the collection of data, the production of official statistics, and the use of data for research under this Act to provide useful insights about the economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being of Māori (including iwi and hapū):
c: foster the capability and capacity of Māori to—
i: collect and use data for the production of statistics; and
ii: access and use data under this Act for research; and
iii: engage with the Statistician under this Act.
15: Principles of engagement by Statistician with Māori
The principles of the engagement required by sections 19 35 91
a: must begin early and be meaningful:
b: should include early discussion of the ways in which the Statistician and Māori can most effectively engage in the particular context:
c: should include consideration of opportunities for Māori to partner with the Statistician in relation to activities that are the subject of the engagement.
16: Independence of Statistician
1: The Statistician has the sole responsibility for deciding on—
a: the production of statistics by the Statistician, including the selection of data sources, concepts, definitions, methods, and classifications to be used; and
b: the timing, manner, and content of the dissemination and communication of those statistics.
2: This section is subject to section 44 1975 No 1 s 15(1)
17: Delegation of functions or powers of Statistician
1: The Statistician may delegate in accordance with clauses 2 to 4
a: the delegation of functions or powers delegated to the Statistician by a Minister requires the prior written approval of that Minister; and
b: the delegation of functions or powers delegated to the Statistician by the Public Service Commissioner requires the prior written approval of the Public Service Commissioner.
2: However, the Statistician must not delegate to a person outside the public service (as described in clause 2(5)
a: the power to issue a compliance notice under section 61
b: the power to issue an infringement notice under section 70
3: Clauses 2 to 4
4: The Statistician must publish information about—
a: any delegation the Statistician makes other than to an employee of, or an individual working as a contractor or as a secondee from elsewhere in the State services for, Statistics New Zealand; and
b: matters considered by the Statistician in making the delegation.
5: The obligation under subsection (4)—
a: may be fulfilled by publishing the information in the department’s annual report; and
b: does not limit clause 2(8) Multi-year data and statistical programme
18: Multi-year data and statistical programme
1: The Statistician must establish a multi-year data and statistical programme.
2: The purpose of the programme is to identify and prioritise any of the following that may contribute to the purpose in section 3
a: the collection and holding of particular data by public sector agencies (including Statistics New Zealand):
b: the production of particular statistics by the Statistician or public sector agencies.
3: The Statistician must prepare a draft multi-year data and statistical programme and submit it to the Minister for approval.
4: The Statistician must ensure that the programme is published at all times on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of Statistics New Zealand.
19: Engagement with Māori on multi-year data and statistical programme
When preparing a draft multi-year data and statistical programme, the Statistician must engage with Māori in ways that the Statistician is satisfied will promote the fulfilment of the Statistician’s duty in section 14(a)
20: Consultation on draft multi-year data and statistical programme
When preparing a draft multi-year data and statistical programme, the Statistician must consult, in the manner that the Statistician thinks appropriate,—
a: the public sector agencies and the Offices of Parliament that, in the opinion of the Statistician, have a particular interest in the programme:
b: the public generally:
c: the individuals and organisations that, in the opinion of the Statistician, have a particular interest in the programme.
21: Review of multi-year data and statistical programme
The multi-year data and statistical programme required under section 18
3: Collection of data and statistical confidentiality
1: Collecting data
22: Collecting data
Data may be collected by the Statistician under this Act—
a: by means of a request under section 23
b: by means of a request on behalf of the Statistician by a public sector agency under section 26
c: if the Statistician considers the data is necessary or desirable to enable the Statistician to produce official statistics, or desirable for research under Part 5
i: by collection from any individual, public sector agency, or organisation by agreement with the Statistician, without a request having been made under section 23 26
ii: by collection by the Statistician under any arrangement that the Statistician may think fit, including observation and publicly available sources.
2: Requests for data
23: Statistician may request data from individual, public sector agency, or organisation to produce official statistics
1: The Statistician may request data from an individual, public sector agency, or organisation if—
a: the individual, public sector agency, or organisation is in a position to provide the data; and
b: the Statistician considers the data is necessary or desirable to enable the Statistician to produce official statistics.
2: When making a request under this section, the Statistician may, if the Statistician considers it is appropriate to do so, specify that the provision of the data is voluntary in whole or in part.
24: Joint collections
1: The Statistician may, with the approval of the Minister, enter into an agreement with 1 or more public sector agencies for the collection, jointly with the Statistician, of data that—
a: the agency has, or agencies have, authority to collect for the performance of its, or their, functions or activities; and
b: the Statistician considers is necessary or desirable to enable the Statistician to produce official statistics.
2: The manner in which data to which the agreement applies may be collected is by the making of requests by the Statistician under section 23
3: A request by the Statistician for data to which an agreement applies must—
a: state that the data is being collected by the Statistician under an agreement with the agency or agencies; and
b: specify—
i: that the data may be disclosed to an agency that is a party to the agreement; and
ii: the purposes for which the data will or may be used under subsection (5).
4: The Statistician may, for the purpose in subsection (5) only, disclose to an agency that is a party to the agreement any data to which the agreement applies that is collected by the Statistician.
5: The purpose of the disclosure under subsection (4) is for the production by that agency of official statistics, or for research by the agency.
6: An agency to which data is disclosed under subsection (4) must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the agency does not publish or otherwise disclose the data in a form that could reasonably be expected to identify any individual or organisation.
7: Subsection (6) does not prevent the publication or other disclosure of identifying data about an individual or organisation if—
a: the individual or, as the case may be, the organisation has authorised the publication or other disclosure; or
b: the Statistician authorises the publication or other disclosure of data and the publication or other disclosure of data is of a type described in section 39(2)﻿(b) to (f)
25: Statistician may authorise public sector agency to request data for Statistician to produce official statistics
1: The Statistician may authorise a public sector agency to request, on behalf of the Statistician, data that the Statistician considers is necessary or desirable to enable the Statistician to produce official statistics (whether or not the agency otherwise has authority to collect the data).
2: When giving an authority under this section, the Statistician may, if the Statistician considers it is appropriate to do so, specify that the provision of the data in response to any request made under section 26
26: Public sector agency authorised under section 25 may request data
1: A public sector agency that is authorised under section 25
2: Data obtained by the public sector agency in response to a request under subsection (1) is, when it is provided to the Statistician by the agency, to be treated for all purposes under this Act and any other legislation as data collected by the Statistician under this Act.
3: The public sector agency must protect data that has been obtained by it in response to a request under subsection (1) by the security safeguards that are reasonable in the circumstances for the public sector agency to use.
4: The fact that data is obtained directly or indirectly by a public sector agency as a result of a request under subsection (1) does not confer any authority on that agency to use that data.
27: Matters to be specified in request under this Part
A request under section 23 26
a: specify that it is a request under this Act and specify which of section 23 26
b: specify the data requested:
c: specify the date by which the data is to be provided:
d: specify the manner and form in which the data is to be provided:
e: in the case of a request under section 23
f: in the case of a request under section 26
g: if the request is not, in whole, a request for the voluntary provision of information, contain a summary of the legal obligation under section 29
28: Certain requests for data under this Part require approval by Minister
1: A request for data under section 23 26
2: Subsection (1) does not apply—
a: if the request is to a public sector agency in section 7(a) to (e)
b: if, and to the extent that, the provision of data is specified in the request to be voluntary.
3: The Minister may approve requests for data under section 23 26
a: specifying data that may be requested:
b: specifying individuals, public sector agencies, and organisations (or classes of individuals, public sector agencies, and organisations) to which the making of requests is approved:
c: approving the repetition of requests from time to time:
d: approving a programme of work requiring the collection of particular data:
e: approving a particular request. Obligation to comply with request
29: Obligation to comply with request
1: An individual, public sector agency, or organisation to which a request for data is made under section 23 26
2: Subsection (1) does not apply—
a: if legislation other than this Act expressly prevents the provision of the data; or
b: to any data the provision of which is identified in the request or otherwise to be voluntary; or
c: in the case of a request made to a public sector agency, to any data the public sector agency refuses to provide under subsection (3).
3: A public sector agency may refuse to provide data if providing the data to the Statistician for the production of official statistics would be likely—
a: to prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the Government of New Zealand; or
b: to prejudice the entrusting of information to the Government of New Zealand on a basis of confidence by—
i: the Government of any other country or any agency of the Government of any other country; or
ii: any international organisation; or
c: to prejudice the maintenance of the law, including the prevention, investigation, and detection of offences, and the right to a fair trial.
4: In the case of a request to an Office of Parliament, the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, or the Parliamentary Service, the provision of all the data requested is to be treated as voluntary.
5: Except with the prior approval of the Statistician, responding to a request by referring to another document from which the data can be obtained does not constitute compliance with the request. Authority to provide data voluntarily in response to request
30: Authority to provide data voluntarily in response to request
1: This section applies to the provision of data in response to a request under section 23 26
2: The individual, public sector agency, or organisation to which the request is made is authorised to provide data to the Statistician under this Act unless—
a: legislation other than this Act expressly prevents the provision of the data; or
b: the provision of the data is contrary to any instrument, trust, rule of law (other than in legislation), or an order of a court. Conditions not to be imposed in response to request
31: Conditions not to be imposed in response to request
1: This section applies to the provision of data in response to a request under section 23 26
2: No individual, public sector agency, or organisation may specify conditions on which data is provided by the individual, public sector agency, or organisation to the Statistician in response to the request.
3: Collection by agreement with Statistician without request
32: Authority to provide data by agreement with Statistician without request
1: This section applies to the collection of data as described in section 22(c)﻿(i)
2: An individual, public sector agency, or organisation is authorised to provide data to the Statistician under this Act for the production of official statistics or research unless—
a: legislation other than this Act expressly prevents the provision of the data; or
b: the provision of the data is contrary to any instrument, trust, rule of law (other than in legislation), or an order of a court.
33: Circumstances in which data may be collected as described in section 22(c)﻿(i) subject to access conditions
1: If data is collected from an individual or organisation as described in section 22(c)﻿(i)
2: The access conditions may—
a: provide for—
i: additional requirements that must be satisfied before the Statistician may authorise access to the data under section 48
ii: additional factors the Statistician must or may take into account before determining whether to authorise access to the data under section 48
b: permit the Statistician to authorise access to the data according to criteria that are less restrictive than those that would otherwise apply under section 48
3: No individual or organisation may specify conditions on which data is provided by the individual or organisation to the Statistician as described in section 22(c)﻿(i)
4: No public sector agency may specify conditions on which data is provided by the public sector agency to the Statistician as described in section 22(c)﻿(i)
4: Census of population and dwellings
34: Census of population and dwellings
1: The Statistician must take a census of population and dwellings of New Zealand—
a: in 2023 or 2024; and
b: in every fifth year after the year in which the census is held in accordance with paragraph (a).
2: Taking a census may involve the collection of data by any means described in section 22
3: The period of time during which the census will be taken must be appointed by the Governor-General by Order in Council on the recommendation of the Minister.
4: At a suitable time after the Order in Council is made under subsection (3), the Statistician must publish the information specified in subsection (5)—
a: on an Internet site that is administered by or on behalf of Statistics New Zealand; and
b: by any other additional means the Statistician considers sufficient for notifying the public of New Zealand.
5: The information referred to in subsection (4) is—
a: the period during which the census will be taken:
b: details of where to seek help and support related to the census:
c: details of—
i: how an individual may access a request made by the Statistician under section 23
ii: how an individual may respond to a request made by the Statistician under section 23
d: the legal obligation under section 29
6: In order to make a request under section 23
7: An order made under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3 1975 No 1 s 23(1)–(3) The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act.
35: Engagement with Māori on census
Before determining the manner of taking, and the data to be collected in, a census of population and dwellings, the Statistician must engage with Māori in ways that the Statistician is satisfied will promote the fulfilment of the Statistician’s duty in section 14(a)
36: Consultation on census
Before determining the manner of taking, and the data to be collected in, a census of population and dwellings, the Statistician must consult, in the manner that the Statistician thinks appropriate,—
a: the public sector agencies and the Offices of Parliament that, in the opinion of the Statistician, have a particular interest in the census:
b: the public generally:
c: the individuals and organisations that, in the opinion of the Statistician, have a particular interest in the census.
37: Review after each census
1: Within 12 months after the last day in the period appointed under section 34(3)
a: conduct a review of the operation of the census; and
b: present a report on the review to the Minister.
2: The Statistician must publish the review on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of Statistics New Zealand.
38: Duty to obtain details regarding request for data in census
An individual must ensure that they obtain a copy of, or other details of how to access and respond to, a request made by the Statistician under section 23 1975 No 1 s 25(1)
5: Statistical confidentiality
39: Statistician authorised to publish or otherwise disclose certain data
1: The Statistician must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the Statistician does not publish or otherwise disclose data in a form that could reasonably be expected to identify any individual or organisation.
2: Despite subsection (1), the Statistician may publish or otherwise disclose—
a: data in a form that may identify an individual or organisation if the publication or other disclosure is authorised in writing by the individual or organisation to which the data relates:
b: data that is publicly available under any Act or publicly available from other sources if the Statistician is satisfied that, in the circumstances of the case, it would not be unfair or unreasonable to disclose the data:
c: data in a form that may identify an organisation (but that could not reasonably be expected to identify any individual) if the purpose of the publication or other disclosure is to describe characteristics of the population:
d: data about a business entity that the Statistician is satisfied is non-sensitive, including (but not limited to) the name, address, and contact details of the business entity, its location, its business type or structure, the industry and sector type it belongs to, and indicators of the size of the business, such as the number of employees:
e: details of external trade (other than personal information within the meaning of the Privacy Act 2020
f: data about locations of individuals, organisations, and things in a form that could not reasonably be expected to identify any individual:
g: data for the purposes of a prosecution or a proposed prosecution under this Act.
3: No provision in subsection (2) limits or affects any other provision in that subsection.
4: The disclosure of data to a person who has completed a certificate of confidentiality under section 42(3)
5: This section—
a: does not limit any other provision of this Act that provides for the Statistician to publish or otherwise disclose data; and
b: applies despite anything in the Customs and Excise Act 2018 sections 17 to 17M
6: In this section, business entity 1975 No 1 ss 37(1), (6) 37A
40: When Statistician may disclose identifying data to individual, public sector agency, or organisation
1: The Statistician may disclose identifying data to an individual, public sector agency, or organisation ( individual, agency, or organisation A
a: the Statistician collected the data from individual, agency, or organisation A under this Act; or
b: the Statistician collected the data from another individual, public sector agency, or organisation but individual, agency, or organisation A is authorised, under a provision contained in any legislation (other than this section), to access the data.
2: Before disclosing identifying data as described in subsection (1), the Statistician may modify the data.
3: Before disclosing identifying data as described in subsection (1)﻿(b), the Statistician must obtain the agreement of the individual, public sector agency, or organisation that provided the identifying data to the Statistician.
4: In this section, identifying data
41: Disclosure of historical data
1: The Statistician may authorise the disclosure of any data or class of data that the Statistician has, in consultation with the Chief Archivist, classified as historical data for the purpose of subsection (2).
2: A response to a request made to an individual under Part 3 Public Records Act 2005
a: a restricted access record, until it is classified as historical data by the Statistician under this section; and
b: an open access record, after it is classified as historical data by the Statistician under this section. 1975 No 1 s 37D
42: Certificate of confidentiality
1: An employee of Statistics New Zealand, before commencing their duties, must complete a certificate of confidentiality.
2: An individual seeking to access data held by the Statistician for research, before accessing data under Part 5
3: Any of the following individuals must complete a certificate of confidentiality if the Statistician requires the person to do so:
a: an individual (including an employee of a public sector agency) who is engaged in the collection of data for, or engaged in, the production of official statistics:
b: an individual who has access to data provided to the Statistician under this Act:
c: an individual who is seeking access to data held by Statistics New Zealand for research and has previously completed a certificate of confidentiality under subsection (2).
4: Subsections (2) and (3) apply whether or not the individual has given a declaration, certificate, or other undertaking of confidentiality in any form under any other Act.
5: A certificate must be in a form, and contain the matters, approved by the Statistician.
6: An obligation undertaken in a certificate of confidentiality does not come to an end only because the individual who completed the certificate ceases to—
a: hold the employment or contractual position in respect of which they were required to complete the certificate; or
b: undertake the activity in accordance with this Act that they were undertaking at the time of completion of the certificate.
7: The certificate must be provided to the Statistician or kept in a form acceptable to the Statistician by the individual (or the public sector agency or organisation that employs or appoints, or contracts services from, the individual).
4: Official statistics
43: Matters on which official statistics may be produced
Official statistics may be produced on any matter relating to New Zealand including, without limitation, its economic, social, cultural, and environmental situation.
44: Minister may direct Statistician to produce or cease production of statistics on matter
1: The Minister may direct the Statistician to produce statistics, or cease to produce statistics, of any kind.
2: The Statistician must comply with a direction given under subsection (1).
3: The Statistician must give public notice of any direction by the Minister. 1975 No 1 s 15(2)
45: Obligations of public sector agencies
A public sector agency must—
a: provide information when requested by the Statistician about the production of official statistics by that agency; and
b: raise any material concerns with the Statistician regarding the quality, production, or timeliness of—
i: statistics identified in the multi-year data and statistical programme established under section 18
ii: statistics notified to the agency from time to time by the Statistician; and
c: when requested by the Statistician, advise the Statistician about data it holds that is being, or is proposed to be, used as a source for official statistics; and
d: consult the Statistician before making changes to the data it collects, the data or statistical collections it holds, the content of its data or statistical collections, or the manner of collecting or managing data if those changes could affect—
i: the data used by the Statistician or any public sector agency for statistical production; or
ii: the statistics produced from data held by the agency; or
iii: data that is made available by the Statistician for research under Part 5
e: within a reasonable time after receiving notice in writing from the Statistician that the Statistician is conducting a review of the production of official statistics, provide any reasonable facilities that are necessary to facilitate completion of the review; and
f: when requested by the Statistician, provide information about that agency’s compliance with standards set under section 90 1975 No 1 ss 5(1) 7(2)
46: Statistician may make official statistics available subject to temporary conditions relating to broadcast, publication, or other disclosure
1: The Statistician may make official statistics available to any person or group of persons subject to either or both of the following temporary conditions:
a: that the statistics not be broadcast, or published, for a period specified by the Statistician; or
b: that for a period specified by the Statistician the statistics not be disclosed to any other person without the permission of the Statistician.
2: The Statistician must provide notice in writing of the conditions to the person or group of persons to whom they apply.
3: The Statistician must publish information about—
a: the persons to whom official statistics have been made available in accordance with this section; and
b: what official statistics have been made available; and
c: the purposes for which the official statistics have been made available; and
d: the conditions imposed under subsection (1).
4: Information required to be published under subsection (3) may be published in summary form. Use of data collected by agreement for research
47: Use of data provided by individual or organisation as described in section 22(c)﻿(i)
1: This section applies if data is collected from an individual or organisation as described in section 22(c)﻿(i)
2: The data must not be used for the purposes of the production of official statistics unless—
a: the Minister approves the use of the data for the production of official statistics; or
b: the individual or organisation from which the data was collected authorises the use of the data for the production of official statistics.
3: Despite subsection (2), if the data is collected from an organisation in subsection (4), it must not be used for the purposes of the production of official statistics unless the organisation authorises the use of the data for the production of official statistics.
4: The organisations referred to in subsection (3) are—
a: an Office of Parliament:
b: the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives:
c: the Parliamentary Service.
5: Access to data for research
1: Access to data held by Statistics New Zealand
Authorising access to data for research
48: When Statistician may authorise access to data for research
1: The Statistician may authorise an individual, public sector agency, or organisation to access, for research, data that is held by Statistics New Zealand if the Statistician is satisfied that—
a: the proposed research is in the public interest ( see section 49
b: the individual, public sector agency, or organisation seeking access to the data is an appropriate researcher ( see section 50
c: the access to the data is subject to appropriate measures to protect the privacy, confidentiality, and security of the data ( see section 51
d: a certificate of confidentiality has been provided to Statistics New Zealand in accordance with section 42
i: in the case of an individual, the individual:
ii: in the case of a public sector agency or organisation, each individual seeking access to the data on behalf of the public sector agency or organisation; and
e: in the case of an individual or organisation that is an overseas person, the requirements of section 52
2: The Statistician may impose conditions relating to the following on any access authorised under subsection (1):
a: access to and use of the data:
b: publication or disclosure of the results of the research.
3: The Statistician’s decision under this section is subject to any applicable access conditions specified under section 33
49: Statistician must be satisfied research is in public interest
1: In determining under section 48(1)﻿(a)
a: the nature and extent of any likely benefit to the public from the proposed research; and
b: the nature and extent of any likely contribution to the economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being of Māori (including iwi and hapū) from the proposed research; and
c: the nature and extent of any of the following risks arising from the proposed access:
i: risk of harm to Māori:
ii: risk of harm to an individual or organisation:
iii: risk to public confidence in the protection of the data.
2: The Statistician may also take into account—
a: the method by which the Statistician collected the data under section 22
b: to the extent practicable, information known to the Statistician about—
i: the purpose for which the data was originally collected by the Statistician or the individual, public sector agency, or organisation that provided it to the Statistician; and
ii: any information provided to any individual, public sector agency, or organisation to which the data relates at the time of that original collection about the purposes for which the data might be used; and
c: any other matters that the Statistician considers relevant.
50: Statistician must be satisfied individual, public sector agency, or organisation seeking access to data is appropriate researcher
1: In determining under section 48(1)﻿(b)
a: must take into account whether the individual, public sector agency, or organisation has the experience, knowledge, and skills to—
i: access and use the data for the proposed research; and
ii: access and use the data in an ethically and culturally appropriate manner; and
iii: protect the privacy, confidentiality, and security of the data; and
b: may, to the extent relevant, take into account any 1 or more of the following:
i: whether the individual, public sector agency, or organisation will engage with the individual, public sector agency, or organisation that provided the data to the Statistician if it is desirable to do so:
ii: whether the individual, public sector agency, or organisation has appropriate connections to, understanding of, or support from the individuals who are the subject of the data or the communities to which the data relates:
iii: whether the individual, public sector agency, or organisation will share the results of the research with the individuals who are the subject of the data or the communities to which the data relates.
2: In taking into account whether a public sector agency or an organisation has the experience, knowledge, and skills described in subsection (1)﻿(a)﻿(i) to (iii), the Statistician may take into account any 1 or more of the following:
a: whether 1 or more individuals seeking access to the data on behalf of the agency or organisation individually have the experience, knowledge, and skills:
b: whether 1 or more individuals seeking access to the data on behalf of the agency or organisation together have the experience, knowledge, and skills:
c: any other matters that the Statistician considers relevant.
51: Statistician must be satisfied access to data is subject to appropriate measures to protect privacy, confidentiality, and security of data
In determining under section 48(1)﻿(c)
a: the nature of the data and the form in which it is being accessed, including—
i: the sensitivity (including cultural sensitivity) of the data; and
ii: the likelihood and potential impact of any individual or organisation being identified from the data; and
b: the likelihood and potential impact of any individual or organisation being identified from the data in light of the other data that may be available to the individual, public sector agency, or organisation accessing the data; and
c: the extent to which the data will be modified by Statistics New Zealand before access is authorised to reduce the risk of any individual or organisation being identified from the data; and
d: the manner in which the data will be accessed, stored, and used, including—
i: the location where the data will be accessed, stored, and used; and
ii: the security and technical safeguards that the individual, public sector agency, or organisation seeking to access the data has in place to ensure that the data remains secure and not subject to unauthorised access; and
iii: the means by which the individual, public sector agency, or organisation seeking to access the data will ensure that the data is used in an ethically and culturally appropriate manner and protected from inappropriate use.
52: Additional consideration if overseas person seeking access to data
1: If an individual or organisation seeking to access data is an overseas person, the Statistician must consider whether the overseas person is required to protect the data in a way that, overall, provides comparable safeguards to those in this Act, taking into account—
a: the laws that apply in the relevant jurisdiction; and
b: the relationship between Statistics New Zealand and the overseas person; and
c: any means available to the Statistician to ensure that the overseas person complies with any conditions imposed under section 48(2)
2: For the purpose of subsection (1)﻿(b) and (c), the Statistician may take into account any agreement entered into between the overseas person and the Statistician or any other individual, public sector agency, or organisation.
3: In this Act,—
a: an individual is an overseas person
b: an organisation is an overseas person
i: the organisation is incorporated outside New Zealand; or
ii: the organisation has its head office or principal place of business outside New Zealand; or
iii: individuals will access data on behalf of the organisation from outside New Zealand.
53: Statistician must publish information about access to data under this subpart
1: The Statistician must publish information about—
a: who is accessing data held by Statistics New Zealand in accordance with this subpart; and
b: what data is being accessed; and
c: the purposes for which the data is being accessed; and
d: how the data is being accessed (including any access conditions agreed under section 33
e: any characteristics of the data being accessed or limitations that may affect the quality of any research using the data.
2: Information required to be published under subsection (1) may be published in summary form. Researcher obligations
54: Researcher obligations in relation to data accessed for research
1: An individual, public sector agency, or organisation that is authorised to access data under section 48 section 42
a: access and use the data only for the research for which access is authorised under section 48(1)
b: comply with any conditions imposed by the Statistician under section 48(2)
c: take all reasonable steps to ensure that they do not publish or otherwise disclose data in a form that could reasonably be expected to identify any individual or organisation; and
d: publish or otherwise disclose the results of their research and their methodologies.
2: Despite subsection (1)﻿(c), the individual, public sector agency, or organisation (as applicable) may publish or otherwise disclose—
a: data in a form that may identify an individual or organisation if the publication or other disclosure is authorised in writing by the individual or the organisation to which the data relates:
b: data of a type described in section 39(2)﻿(b) to (f)
3: The publication of results and methodologies under subsection (1)﻿(d) may be in summary form.
4: Nothing in subsection (1)﻿(d) requires—
a: a public sector agency to disclose data if a request for that data could be refused under section 18
b: disclosing the data would be contrary to any legislation.
2: Access to data held by other public sector agencies
55: Statistician may determine that certain public sector agencies may authorise access to data for research in accordance with this Part
1: This section applies to a public sector agency of a type described in section 7(a) to (e)
2: The Statistician may, if requested by the chief executive of the public sector agency, determine that the chief executive may authorise access, for research, to data held by the public sector agency in accordance with section 56
3: A determination under subsection (2) may specify the manner in which the chief executive must notify any person seeking to access data of the chief executive’s intention to authorise access in accordance with section 56
4: A determination made under this section is secondary legislation ( see Part 3
5: In this section and section 56 chief executive
a: in relation to a public service agency as defined in section 10(a) section 5
b: in relation to the New Zealand Police, the Commissioner of Police appointed under section 12
c: in relation to the New Zealand Defence Force, the Chief of Defence Force:
d: in relation to a statutory entity named in Schedule 1 section 10
e: in relation to the Reserve Bank, the Governor (as defined in section 5(1) The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication The maker must publish it in accordance with the Legislation (Publication) Regulations 2021 LA19 s 74(1)﻿(aa) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act.
56: Effect of determination under section 55
1: The chief executive of the public sector agency to which a determination under section 55
a: may authorise access for research to data held by the public sector agency in accordance with this section; and
b: must, if intending to authorise an individual, public sector agency, or organisation to access data in accordance with this section, notify that individual, public sector agency, or organisation of their intention to do so in accordance with any requirements specified in the determination.
2: The following sections apply to the chief executive and any individual, public sector agency, or organisation that is authorised to access data by the chief executive following notification in accordance with subsection (1)﻿(b) as if all references to the Statistician were references to the chief executive and all references to Statistics New Zealand were to the public sector agency to which the determination under section 55
a: section 39(2)﻿(b) to (f) section 54(2)﻿(b)
b: sections 48(1) and (2) 49 to 52
c: section 42(2), (5), and (7)
d: section 54
e: section 96
3: The chief executive of the public sector agency to which the determination applies must publish information about—
a: who is accessing the data held by the public sector agency for research in accordance with this section; and
b: what data is being accessed; and
c: the purposes for which the data is being accessed; and
d: how the data is being accessed; and
e: any characteristics of the data being accessed or limitations that may affect the quality of any research using the data.
4: Information required to be published under subsection (3) may be published in summary form.
5: Nothing in this section limits or affects a provision contained in any legislation that—
a: authorises or requires data to be made available; or
b: imposes a prohibition or restriction on the availability of data; or
c: otherwise regulates the manner in which data may be obtained from or made available by the public sector agency.
6: Offences and enforcement
1: Power of entry and inspection
57: Power of entry and inspection
1: For the purpose of obtaining any data that the Statistician considers necessary or desirable to enable the Statistician to produce official statistics, the Statistician, or any employee of Statistics New Zealand authorised in writing for the purpose of this section by the Statistician (an authorised employee
a: enter any place of business (other than a private dwelling or marae), and may inspect any part of the premises, any goods that are being stored or offered for sale, and any relevant records; and
b: require any person who by reason of that person’s role relating to the business has custody of or access to any relevant records to produce for inspection, or facilitate the inspection of, the relevant records within any reasonable period that may be specified by the Statistician or authorised employee.
2: The Statistician or authorised employee may exercise the powers under subsection (1) only if—
a: the occupier of the place, or, as the case may be, the person referred to in subsection (1)﻿(b), consents; or
b: the Statistician or authorised employee obtains a warrant under section 58
3: The provisions of subparts 1 2 4 5 7 10 sections 118 119
4: In this section,— business relevant records 1975 No 1 s 35(1), (2)
58: Search warrant
1: An issuing officer may, on an application made as specified in subsection (2), issue a search warrant in relation to a place of business or enterprise (other than a private dwelling or marae), if the issuing officer is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the Statistician to produce official statistics, to exercise,—
a: in relation to any place of business or enterprise, any of the powers in section 57(1)﻿(a)
b: in relation to any person, any of the powers in section 57(1)﻿(b)
2: The application referred to in subsection (1)—
a: may be made only by the Statistician or an authorised employee (as defined in section 57
b: must be made in the manner provided by subpart 3 1975 No 1 s 35(3), (4)
59: Data obtained using power of entry treated as data obtained under Act
Data obtained using the powers in section 57 section 58
2: Compliance notices and offences
Compliance notices
60: Interpretation
In sections 61 to 67 authorised person
a: the Statistician; or
b: the chief executive (as defined in section 55(5) section 55
61: Power to issue compliance notice
An authorised person may issue a compliance notice to a person—
a: requiring the person to cease doing something being done by the person, or to cause something being done on behalf of that person to cease, if the authorised person has reasonable grounds to believe that the thing being done contravenes Part 5
b: prohibiting the person from doing something, or from causing something to be done on behalf of that person, if the authorised person has reasonable grounds to believe the thing to be done is likely to contravene Part 5
c: requiring the person to do something that the authorised person has reasonable grounds to believe is necessary to ensure that the person complies with Part 5
62: Content
A compliance notice must state—
a: the name of the person to whom it is issued; and
b: the reasons why the authorised person issued it; and
c: the requirement or prohibition in section 61
d: one of the following:
i: for a requirement, the period within which the action must be taken or must cease, being a reasonable period within which to take the action required or to cease the action; or
ii: for a prohibition, the time and date, if any, from which the prohibition is to take effect; and
e: the conditions, if any, imposed by the authorised person; and
f: the consequences of not complying with the notice; and
g: the right of review in section 66
h: the name and address of the public sector agency whose chief executive issued the notice.
63: Service of compliance notice
1: The authorised person must ensure that the compliance notice is served on the person to whom it is issued.
2: Section 73(1), (2), and (3)﻿(a)
3: Unless the contrary is shown, a compliance notice sent to a valid electronic address is to be treated as having been served at the time the electronic communication first enters an information system that is outside the control of the public sector agency on behalf of which the compliance notice is issued.
64: Compliance
1: The person to whom a compliance notice is issued must—
a: comply with the notice; and
b: do so within the period stated in the notice, if a period is stated; and
c: pay all the costs and expenses of complying with the notice, unless the notice states otherwise.
2: This section is subject to the right of review in section 66
65: Authorised person may amend or cancel compliance notice
1: A compliance notice may be amended or cancelled at any time by the authorised person who issued it.
2: The power in subsection (1) is subject to any decision under section 67
66: Review of compliance notice
1: A person to whom a compliance notice is issued may apply to the authorised person who issued it for a review of the notice.
2: The application must state—
a: the reasons why the applicant thinks the notice should be reviewed; and
b: the outcome the applicant is seeking.
3: The compliance notice remains in force until the decision on the review is notified to the applicant under section 67
67: How review must be conducted
1: The authorised person who issued the compliance notice must ensure that the review applied for under section 66 reviewer
2: The reviewer must review the compliance notice on the papers within 20 working days after the date on which the application for review was lodged.
3: The reviewer may—
a: confirm or vary the compliance notice; or
b: cancel the compliance notice; or
c: cancel the compliance notice and substitute another compliance notice that the reviewer considers appropriate.
4: The reviewer must give the applicant written notice of the reviewer’s decision. Procedure for infringement offences
68: Interpretation
In sections 69 to 73 authorised person
a: the Statistician; or
b: the chief executive of a public sector agency that is authorised under section 25
69: Infringement offences
1: A person who is alleged to have committed an infringement offence may—
a: be proceeded against by the filing of a charging document under section 14
b: be issued with an infringement notice under section 70
2: Proceedings commenced in the way described in subsection (1)﻿(a) do not require the leave of a District Court Judge or Registrar under section 21(1)﻿(a)
3: See section 21
70: When infringement notice may be issued
An authorised person may issue an infringement notice to a person if the authorised person believes on reasonable grounds that the person is committing, or has committed, an infringement offence.
71: Revocation of infringement notice before payment made
1: An authorised person may revoke an infringement notice before—
a: the infringement fee is paid; or
b: an order for payment of a fine is made or deemed to be made by a court under section 21
2: The authorised person must take reasonable steps to ensure that the person to whom the notice was issued is made aware of the revocation of the notice.
3: The revocation of an infringement notice before the infringement fee is paid is not a bar to any further action as described in section 69(1)﻿(a) or (b)
72: What infringement notice must contain
An infringement notice must be in the form prescribed in the regulations and must contain the following particulars:
a: details of the alleged infringement offence that fairly inform a person of the time, place, and nature of the alleged offence:
b: the amount of the infringement fee:
c: the name and address of the agency whose chief executive issued the notice:
d: how the infringement fee may be paid:
e: the time within which the infringement fee must be paid:
f: a summary of the provisions of section 21(10)
g: a statement that the person served with the notice has a right to request a hearing:
h: a statement of what will happen if the person served with the notice neither pays the infringement fee nor requests a hearing:
i: any other matters prescribed in the regulations.
73: How infringement notice may be served
1: An infringement notice may be served on the person who the authorised person believes is committing or has committed the infringement offence by—
a: delivering it to the person or, if the person refuses to accept it, bringing it to the person’s notice; or
b: leaving it for the person at the person’s last known place of residence with another person who appears to be of or over the age of 14 years; or
c: leaving it for the person at the person’s place of business or work with another person; or
d: sending it to the person by prepaid post addressed to the person’s last known place of residence or place of business or work; or
e: sending it to an electronic address of the person in any case where the person does not have a known place of residence or business in New Zealand.
2: Service on an officer of a body, or on the body's registered office, is deemed to be service on the body.
3: Unless the contrary is shown,—
a: an infringement notice (or a copy of it) sent by prepaid post to a person under subsection (1) is to be treated as having been served on that person on the fifth working day after the date on which it was posted; and
b: an infringement notice sent to a valid electronic address is to be treated as having been served at the time the electronic communication first enters an information system that is outside the control of the authorised person.
74: Payment of infringement fees
All infringement fees paid for infringement offences must be paid into a Crown Bank Account.
75: Reminder notices
A reminder notice must be in the form prescribed in the regulations, and must include the same particulars, or substantially the same particulars, as the infringement notice. Offences relating to failure to provide data
76: Failing or refusing to provide data
1: A person commits an offence if the person—
a: intentionally fails or refuses to comply with section 29(1)
b: intentionally fails or refuses to comply with a requirement imposed under section 57(1)﻿(b)
2: It is not a defence to a prosecution under this section that neither a copy of, nor other details of how to access and respond to, a request made by the Statistician under section 23
3: A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $2,000; and
b: in any other case, $12,000. 1975 No 1 ss 25(3) 43(1)
77: False or misleading statement
1: A person commits an offence if the person knowingly makes a false or misleading statement or knowingly makes any material omission when responding to—
a: a request for data made to the person under Part 3
b: a requirement imposed under section 57(1)﻿(b)
2: A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $2,000; and
b: in any other case, $12,000. 1975 No 1 s 44 Offences relating to obligation to protect data
78: Breach of certificate of confidentiality
1: A person commits an offence if the person, having completed a certificate of confidentiality under section 42
a: knowingly breaches an obligation undertaken in the certificate of confidentiality; or
b: knowingly makes a false statement about whether the person has breached an obligation undertaken in the certificate of confidentiality.
2: A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $5,000; and
b: in any other case, $15,000. 1975 No 1 s 40(a), (c)
79: Wrongfully obtaining data while performing duty or function or exercising power under Act
1: A person commits an offence if, while performing, or purporting to perform, any duty or function, or exercising, or purporting to exercise, any power under this Act, the person intentionally obtains, or seeks to obtain, data knowing that the person is not authorised to obtain it.
2: A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $5,000; and
b: in any other case, $15,000. 1975 No 1 s 40(b)
80: Acting contrary to obligations under section 54
1: A person who is authorised under section 48
a: knowingly contravenes section 54(1)﻿(a) or (b)
b: knowingly publishes or discloses data—
i: knowing that the reasonable steps required by section 54(1)﻿(c)
ii: being reckless as to whether the reasonable steps required by section 54(1)﻿(c)
2: A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $5,000; and
b: in any other case, $15,000. 1975 No 1 s 45A
81: Giving or obtaining unauthorised access to data
1: A person commits an offence if the person—
a: is authorised under section 48
b: discloses data obtained under that authority to any other person—
i: knowing that the other person is not authorised under section 48
ii: being reckless as to whether the other person is authorised under section 48
2: A person ( person A
a: person A knowingly obtains data from a person ( person B section 48
b: person A knows that, when person B provided the data, person B—
i: knew that person A was not authorised under section 48
ii: was reckless as to whether person A was authorised under section 48
c: person A retains or uses the data.
3: A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) or (2) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $5,000; and
b: in any other case, $15,000. Other offences
82: Penalties for non-compliance with compliance notice
1: A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, the person fails to comply with section 64(1)﻿(a) or (b)
2: A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $5,000; or
b: in any other case, $15,000.
83: Mutilation or defacement, etc, of data or request
1: A person commits an offence if the person knowingly or recklessly destroys, defaces, removes, mutilates, or renders unusable—
a: a request for data made under Part 3
b: data provided in response to a request under Part 3
2: A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $5,000; and
b: in any other case, $15,000.
84: Obstruction of Statistician or employee of Statistics New Zealand
1: A person commits an offence if the person intentionally interferes with, hinders, or obstructs the Statistician or any employee of Statistics New Zealand in the exercise of any power conferred by this Act.
2: A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $5,000; or
b: in any other case, $15,000. 1975 No 1 s 41
85: Impersonation of Statistician or employee of Statistics New Zealand
1: A person commits an offence if the person, not being an employee of Statistics New Zealand, by words, conduct, or demeanour pretends that the person is an employee of Statistics New Zealand or assumes the name, designation, or description of an employee of Statistics New Zealand.
2: A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $5,000; or
b: in any other case, $15,000. 1975 No 1 s 42
86: Deceiving Statistician or employee of Statistics New Zealand
1: A person commits an offence if the person wilfully deceives or attempts to deceive the Statistician or any employee of Statistics New Zealand in the exercise or performance by the Statistician or employee of any of the Statistician’s powers, duties, or functions under this Act.
2: A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $5,000; or
b: in any other case, $15,000. 1975 No 1 s 46(b)
87: Penalties for non-compliance with condition imposed under section 46
1: A person commits an offence if the person—
a: is a person to whom (or is in a group of persons to which) any condition applies under section 46
b: without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the condition.
2: A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding,—
a: in the case of an individual, $5,000; or
b: in any other case, $15,000. Infringement offences
88: Infringement offence for failing to provide data
A person who fails to comply with section 29(1)
a: an infringement fee of the amount prescribed in the regulations; or
b: a fine imposed by a court not exceeding the amount prescribed in the regulations.
89: Infringement offence for failing to obtain request for data in census
A person who fails to comply with section 38
a: an infringement fee of the amount prescribed in the regulations; or
b: a fine imposed by a court not exceeding the amount prescribed in the regulations.
7: General and miscellaneous provisions
1: General provisions
90: Statistician may set standards
1: The Statistician may set standards in relation to—
a: the production and communication of official statistics; and
b: data or statistical collections held by public sector agencies that—
i: could be used by the Statistician or any public sector agency for statistical production; or
ii: could be made available by the Statistician for research under Part 5
c: the manner of collecting or managing data that—
i: could be used by the Statistician or any public sector agency for statistical production; or
ii: could be made available by the Statistician for research under Part 5
d: the access and use of data for research under Part 5
2: The Statistician may apply the whole or any part of the standards, with any variations that the Statistician thinks fit in any particular case, to the following by notice to each agency concerned:
a: all public sector agencies; or
b: particular public sector agencies or classes of public sector agencies.
3: The standards applied under subsection (2) are guidance for the agencies to which they apply.
4: Despite subsection (3), the Statistician may specify in a notice under subsection (2) that the whole or any part of any standard, subject to any variations specified by the Statistician under that subsection, is a mandatory requirement.
5: Standards set under this section and any notice under subsection (2) must be in writing.
91: Engagement with Māori on standards
Before setting a standard under section 90 section 14(a)
92: Consultation on standards
1: Before setting a standard under section 90
2: Subsection (1) does not apply to an amendment to a standard if the Statistician is satisfied that the amendment—
a: is only correcting a minor error; or
b: is otherwise of a minor nature only.
93: Restrictions on delegation by chief executive of public sector agency of certain powers under Act
1: The chief executive of a public sector agency that is authorised under section 25 clause 2(5) Part 6
2: The chief executive of a public sector agency in respect of which a notice has been given under section 55 clause 2(5) Part 6
3: Clause 2
94: Annual report
1: The Statistician must, as soon as practicable after the close of each financial year, provide to the Minister a report on the administration of this Act.
2: The report must include information about actions taken by the Statistician to fulfil the Statistician’s duties under section 14
3: The Minister must present the annual report to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable after the Minister receives it.
4: In this section, financial year section 2(1)
95: Data is privileged
1: The following must not be disclosed, or used as evidence, in any proceedings:
a: data collected by the Statistician under this Act:
b: data that was provided to the Statistician in response to a request under section 23 26
2: Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to data provided to the Statistician in response to a request under section 23 26
3: No individual who has completed a certificate of confidentiality under section 42
a: give oral testimony regarding the content of any data obtained or accessed under this Act; or
b: produce any document or record with respect to the content of the data.
4: Subsections (1) and (3)﻿(b) do not apply if the disclosure, use, or production is—
a: in respect of a prosecution under this Act; or
b: otherwise permitted under section 39 41 1975 No 1 s 38
96: Authorisation by organisation
An authorisation by an organisation for the purpose of this Act may be given by a person who the Statistician is satisfied is authorised to represent the organisation.
97: Time for filing charging document
Despite anything to the contrary in section 25 1975 No 1 s 48
98: Evidence in proceedings for offences
In any proceedings for an offence against this Act, a certificate by the Statistician that under section 28(3) 1975 No 1 s 46A
99: Obligation continues even if data not provided by particular date
1: Subsection (2) applies if—
a: an obligation is imposed on an individual, public sector agency, or organisation under Part 3
b: a person is required to comply with a requirement imposed under section 57(1)﻿(b)
2: The obligation to provide the data or comply with the requirement continues even if the obligation or requirement has not been complied with by the particular date referred to in subsection (1). 1975 No 1 s 43(2A)
100: Proof of signature of Statistician and certain other persons
1: The written, printed, or electronic signature of any of the following may be used on any document in relation to the exercise or performance by that person of the person’s powers, duties, and functions under this Act:
a: the Statistician:
b: the chief executive of a public sector agency that is authorised under section 25
c: the chief executive of a public sector agency in respect of which a notice has been given under section 55
2: An electronic signature referred to in subsection (1) must—
a: adequately identify the signatory and adequately indicate the signatory’s approval of the information to which the signature relates; and
b: be as reliable as is appropriate given the purpose for which, and the circumstances in which, the signature is required.
3: Any document purporting to bear the written, printed, or electronic signature of a person referred to in subsection (1) is, until the contrary is proved, to be treated as having been duly signed by the person whose signature it purports to bear.
4: Judicial notice must be taken of every signature referred to in this section and of the fact that the person whose signature it purports to be holds or has held the office referred to in subsection (1)﻿(a), (b), or (c), as the case may be.
101: Regulations
1: The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations for the following purposes:
a: prescribing fees for infringement offences under this Act, which,—
i: in the case of an individual, must not exceed $1,000; and
ii: in any other case, must not exceed $3,000:
b: prescribing maximum fines for infringement offences under this Act, which,—
i: in the case of an individual, must not exceed $2,000; and
ii: in any other case, must not exceed $6,000:
c: prescribing infringement notices and reminder notices:
d: providing for anything this Act says may or must be provided for by regulations:
e: providing for anything incidental that is necessary for carrying out, or giving full effect to, this Act.
2: Regulations made under this section are secondary legislation ( see Part 3 The following table is small in size and has 3 columns that are grouped under the heading Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section. Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section Publication PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette LA19 s 69(1)﻿(c) Presentation The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives LA19 s 114 Disallowance It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives LA19 ss 115 116 This note is not part of the Act.
2: Amendments to enactments, repeals, and revocations
102: Repeal
The Statistics Act 1975 2022-09-01 Statistics Act 1975 Amendment to Official Information Act 1982
103: Principal Act
Section 104 Official Information Act 1982 2022-09-01 Official Information Act 1982
104: Section 2 amended (Interpretation)
In section 2(1) official information
m: does not include information provided to the Government Statistician solely for research by or on behalf of an individual or an organisation (as defined in section 6 of the Data and Statistics Act 2022 Amendment to Summary Proceedings Act 1957
105: Principal Act
Section 106 Summary Proceedings Act 1957 2022-09-01 Summary Proceedings Act 1957
106: Section 2 amended (Interpretation)
In section 2(1) infringement notice
ji: section 70 Other amendments and revocation
107: Other amendments and revocation
1: Amend the Acts and secondary legislation specified in Schedules 2 3 Part 1
2: Amend the secondary legislation specified in Part 2
3: The Education (Statistics New Zealand Authorised to Use National Student Numbers) Regulations 2008 2022-09-01 Education (Statistics New Zealand Authorised to Use National Student Numbers) Regulations 2008 Biosecurity Act 1993 Citizenship Act 1977 Commodity Levies Act 1990 District Court Act 2016 Education and Training Act 2020 Electoral Act 1993 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000 Forests Act 1949 National Animal Identification and Tracing Act 2012 Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 2021 Senior Courts Act 2016 Accident Compensation Act 2001 Child Support Act 1991 Commerce Act 1986 Companies Act 1993 Customs and Excise Act 2018 Education and Training Act 2020 Electoral Act 1993 Financial Reporting Act 2013 Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956 Government Superannuation Fund Amendment Act 1969 Income Tax Act 2007 Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 Insolvency Act 2006 Legislation Act 2019 Local Government Act 2002 New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001 Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 Public Works Act 1981 Residential Care and Disability Support Services Act 2018 Social Security Act 2018 Telecommunications Act 2001 Veterans’ Support Act 2014 Crown Minerals (Royalties for Minerals Other than Petroleum) Regulations 2013 Crown Pastoral Land (Method for Calculating Dollar-Per-Stock-Unit Rates) Regulations 2012 Government Superannuation Fund (Ceasing Contributions) Regulations 1995 Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation (Indexation of Maximum Weekly Compensation) Regulations 2004 Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation (Indexation) Regulations 2002 Land Transport Management (Road Tolling Scheme for Northern Gateway) Order 2005 Land Transport Management (Road Tolling Scheme for Takitimu Drive (Route K)) Order 2015 Land Transport Management (Road Tolling Scheme for Tauranga Eastern Link) Order 2015 Social Security Regulations 2018 Veterans’ Support Regulations 2014 Wine (Non-grape Wine Levy) Order 2021 Accident Compensation Act 2001 Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 1995 Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021 Building Societies Act 1965 Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018 Companies Act 1993 Corporations (Investigation and Management) Act 1989 Electoral Act 1993 Environmental Reporting Act 2015 Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008 Incorporated Societies Act 1908 Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1908 Land Transfer Act 2017 Limited Partnerships Act 2008 Local Electoral Act 2001 Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Act 2020 New Zealand Infrastructure Commission/Te Waihanga Act 2019 New Zealand Productivity Commission Act 2010 New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001 Privacy Act 2020 Public Records Act 2005 Remuneration Authority Act 1977 Retirement Villages Act 2003 Search and Surveillance Act 2012 Serious Fraud Office Act 1990 Tax Administration Act 1994 Privacy (Information Sharing Agreement Between Ministry of Justice and Statistics New Zealand) Order 2017 Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Regulations 2008