Information for managers of non-private dwellings

Non-private dwellings are places that provide communal or temporary accommodation. Learn how you can help us deliver the 2023 Census as a manager of one.

Help us count everyone on Census Day, 7 March 2023

The 2023 Census must be completed by everyone who is in New Zealand on Tuesday, 7 March 2023.

That includes anyone who stays at or on your premises that night.

We will need you to give them census packs, and keep completed forms safe for collection by a census collector.

Soon, we will contact you to help you get ready

We will either phone or visit in person. We will ask who we should work with to help you prepare for the 2023 Census.

We will also ask you how many people you think will stay with you on Tuesday, 7 March 2023. This is so we can provide you with the right number of census packs.

Before census day, we will deliver what you need for the 2023 Census

 A census collector will visit with:

  • census packs (containing a letter with a code to do the census online, a paper form, guide notes, and a return envelope)
  • an occupant register, for you to record who stays with you on Census Night
  • promotional material, to help the people who stay with you understand what they need to know about the census.

On Census Day, 7 March 2023, give census packs to the people staying with you

You will need to provide a pack for every person staying overnight. This includes people who do not usually live in New Zealand (such as tourists, or visiting workers), as well as children and babies.

They can choose to either do the census online, or on paper.

  • If they do the census online, ask them to tell you when they are done.
  • If they do the census on paper, ask them to return the paper forms to you, sealed in the envelope provided.

On and after census day, keep a record of census forms being returned

Record this in the occupant register we give you. Record whether:

  • an online form was completed
  • a paper form was handed in
  • no response was received.

Keep completed paper census forms private and secure until we collect them

Your census collector will return to collect completed paper forms, and your occupant register.

Please recycle any unused paper items, or return them to the census collector.