Statistics New Zealand has welcomed the Government's decision to hold the next census in March 2013 and has begun work on the project.
The 2011 Census was called off following the 22 February Christchurch earthquake. It could not have been successfully completed due to the national state of emergency and the probable impact on census results.
The Government and Statistics NZ considered holding the census in March 2012. However, the risk of a census not being able to be run properly in that short period of time was too high.
Government Statistician Geoff Bascand said there are major benefits to holding a census in 2013, including being able to revise the electoral boundaries and hold a Mâori electoral option ahead of a 2014 General Election, and updating population data.
The exact census date is expected to be announced later this year, after Parliament approves legislation required to hold a census in 2013.
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