NZers' views sought on question of ethnicity

After much debate during the 2006 Census about how New Zealanders should express their ethnicity, Statistics New Zealand is asking the public for feedback.

Official ethnicity statistics count the number of people in different ethnic groups in New Zealand, such as Maori, Pacific peoples, Chinese and Indian.

The figures are used by government, service providers and communities to plan and deliver programmes, particularly in the health and social services sectors.

In 2006, there was considerable public debate about ethnicity, including a high-profile campaign for the inclusion of a "New Zealander" tick-box in the census ethnicity question.

Statistics New Zealand today released a discussion paper which recommends no changes to the ethnicity question for the 2011 Census.

Initial consultation suggested that including a "New Zealander" tick-box would alter the meaning of the question so it was more about nationality and less about ethnicity.

This could affect the accuracy and usefulness of the data collected, SNZ said.

Public feedback is invited until May 25.

- NZPA