New Zealand Passes Bill for Annual Census and Timelier Population Data

New Zealand has passed the Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill to transition from a five-yearly census to an annual approach using existing government data, a smaller survey, and targeted collection, starting in 2030. This change addresses rising costs, declining response rates, and disruptions, ensuring more timely and accurate population data essential for planning public services. Additionally, the legislation modifies electoral boundary reviews to occur after every second general election instead of after every census, maintaining regularity while reflecting population changes.