A new Memorandum of Understanding to support the collection of quality data for Māori, Pacific Peoples, Youth communities in South Auckland for 2023 Census has been signed between The Cause Collective (TCC) and Stats NZ (Tatauranga Aotearoa).
The agreement was signed by Rachel Enosa, TCC Chief Executive and Richard Stokes, Stats NZ Director Census Communication and Engagement, on Tuesday 10 May at TCC head office in Manukau.
The MOU marks a collaboration between TCC and Stats NZ to support the effective engagement of Māori, Pacific Peoples and Youth communities in South Auckland to build trust and confidence with them and support participation in the next census.
“As a social change organisation focused on the wellbeing of Pacific peoples and South Auckland communities, we’re delighted with this collaboration with Stats NZ. It will help to ensure a focused approach to respectfully engage Māori and Pacific peoples and South Auckland communities to understand and participate in the 2023 Census,” says Rachel Enosa, Chief Executive, The Cause Collective.”
“We’ve been working in South Auckland for over five years and strong, authentic relationships on the ground with local people are crucial to getting their trust and support. Māori, Pacific peoples and South Auckland communities are a key contributor to social, cultural, and economic wellbeing of New Zealand, so quality data that is reflective of South Auckland attitudes and values is crucial to informing government, Iwi and community stakeholders.”
At the 2018 Census, there were 316,878 usual residents in the South Auckland area (Local Board areas of Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Manurewa, and Papakura), an increase of 42,378 people since the 2013 Census. This represents a 15.4% increase between 2013 and 2018. Therefore, South Auckland grew more quickly than wider Auckland (11.0% increase).
With a rapidly growing and diverse population living in Auckland’s southern region, participation of Māori, Pacific peoples, and South Auckland communities in the 2023 Census is important to deliver high-quality data that will help the government plan public services such as hospitals, schools, roads, and public transport in South Auckland.
“Stats NZ’s is committed to delivering an inclusive 2023 Census and attaining the highest response rates possible to produce quality census data that represents both Aotearoa New Zealand and the diverse communities that make up our country, including South Auckland,” says Richard Stokes, Census Communications and Engagement Director, Stats NZ.
“To achieve this, we are working closely with community organisations, Treaty partners, and census customers, to understand their data needs, build trust and confidence in census, identify opportunities to increase response rates, and ultimately value for them through census participation and use of census data.”
The MOU between TCC and Stats NZ is guided by four key principles – relational, serving our community, promoting and utilising our diversity and enhancing capability through reciprocity. It acknowledges that collaboration involves relationships built on trust and confidence while serving community interest at its heart.
This MOU comes into effect immediately and will be in place until June 2023.
