New data released on iwi affiliations and other information about Māori is hoped to plug gaps left from the 2018 census.
Stats NZ conceded significant limitations remain in the wake of the census, which was roundly criticised after it significantly undercounted Māori in particular.
The extremely low turnout - 68.2 per cent - forced officials to resort to using data from other places to flesh out the Māori data set, which is used to determine actions such as funding and services provision, through to Māori electorates.
An independent review panel later found the census data on iwi affiliation was so bad it could not be formally endorsed.
On Tuesday, Stats NZ released updated population estimates which Associate Statistics Minister Meka Whaitiri hailed as a move toward plugging the gaps.