How to do the census on paper Te whakakī i tō tatauranga mā te pepa
Everyone can choose to do the census on paper. Find out how it works.
What you will need to do the 2023 Census on paper
- Paper forms.
- One Dwelling Form, if you are staying in a non-private dwelling.
- One Individual Form for each of the people in your dwelling on census night.
- A black pen or a blue pen.
No matter where you stay on census night, you can do the census on paper
But the forms you need to complete may differ depending on where you are staying: in a private dwelling, or in a non-private dwelling.
- Private dwellings are places where households live. Common types of private dwellings are houses, townhouses, flats, units, and apartments.
- Non-private dwellings include places like hotels, hostels, hospitals, and retirement homes. They are places that provide temporary or communal accommodation.
How to complete your paper census forms if you are staying in a private dwelling on census night
Depending on where you are in the country:
- you may get both an online access code and paper census forms delivered to you, or
- you may get only an online access code delivered to you.
If you do not get paper forms but would prefer to use them, or you need extra Individual Forms, you can order them from us for free.
Complete your census forms on or before Census Night, Tuesday 7 March 2023.
But whenever you complete your forms, answer the questions as if it was census night.
In other words, if you complete your forms earlier than this, pretend that it is Tuesday 7 March 2023.
- For example, there is a question that asks what kinds of work you have done without pay in the last 4 weeks. Your answer should be about the 4 weeks before Tuesday, 7 March 2023.
- Only one person in your dwelling needs to complete this. If you live with other people, check with them who will do it.
- Every person in your dwelling on census night needs to complete an Individual Form, or have one completed on their behalf. For example, adults can fill out Individual Forms for children or babies.
The Dwelling Form is a short set of questions about your dwelling. For example, the number of bedrooms, and if you have the internet.
The Individual Form asks questions about each person. For example, where you were born, and the languages that you can speak.
You will have received a prepaid envelope in your census pack. Please use this to post your forms back to Stats NZ. You can drop it in any NZ Post mailbox.
Find an NZ Post mailbox near you
If you need someone to come and collect the forms from you, contact us.
Tips for completing your paper census forms
When you fill in paper forms:
- use a blue or black pen
- write in CAPITAL LETTERS
- write your answers in English or te reo Māori
- look at the Guide Notes for help
- if you make a mistake, draw a line through the incorrect text and rewrite your answer, even if it does not fit within the space.
You have completed the 2023 Census when you have returned all your forms
In a private dwelling, that means:
- one Dwelling Form
- an Individual Form for every person staying in the dwelling on census night.
In a non-private dwelling, that means:
- an Individual Form for every person staying in your non-private dwelling accommodation on census night.
After census day, we will follow up with dwellings which have not completed the census
Some dwellings may complete the census after we have sent a letter, but before the letter arrives at their address.
If your dwelling receives a reminder letter but has completed the census, please ignore the letter. You have done what you need to do.
If you are not sure if you have completed the census, or have any questions, contact us.