Stats NZ, the government body that oversees data and statistics releases in the country, said that the 2028 census would be cancelled, making the 2023 version the final one.

The country’s cabinet has also endorsed the government statistician’s decision to prioritise the use of information already collected by government, known as administrative data, for future censuses.

The latest announcement has also said the country would be publishing a monthly consumers price index (CPI), as well as carrying out a programme of work to meet new international standards for macroeconomic statistics. 

The approach builds on combined survey and administrative data models that have been in use in New Zealand since the 2018 Census.

New Zealand has run a census since 1851 and one was being conducted every five years prior to the decision to end the practice.

The decision comes shortly after the UK Statistics Authority recommended that the UK government carries out a census of England and Wales in 2031, supported by administrative data and new technologies.

Stats NZ will, as part of the statistics system, receive funding of NZ$16.5m over four years to help deliver a monthly CPI from the beginning of 2027.

The CPI will provide inflation data for policy, forecasting and economic and welfare decisions, with Stats NZ updating its prices technology platform and building up the project team in anticipation.

The government budget also includes tagged contingency funding of around $61m over four years to meet new international standards for macroeconomic statistics. 

Acting Stats NZ chief executive and government statistician Mary Craig said: “As New Zealand faces widespread and long-term social, economic, environmental and technological change, people’s need for information is growing exponentially. 

“These changes will help ensure Stats NZ continues to adapt and provide high-quality information that supports New Zealand’s economic and social wellbeing.”