15 Apr 2011

Most of cancelled census money already spent

10:03 pm on 15 April 2011

Statistics New Zealand says little money will be left from the $90.4 million set aside for the 2011 census, even though it was not carried out in March as planned.

The census was cancelled due to the devastating Christchurch earthquake on 22 February.

Statistics New Zealand chief executive Geoff Bascand says about $72 million has already been spent on 140 offices throughout the country and about than 7500 temporary staff have been paid in full.

Mr Bascand says other significant costs have included printing forms, advertising, a contact centre and setting up IT systems.

Only about $17 million to $18 million of the original budget remains.

Mr Bascand says it is up to the Government to decide when to resume the census, which would incur at least the same cost again.

Auckland Council urges March 2012 census

Auckland Council says it will not be able to plan accurately for the future unless the Government reinstates the census.

The council's manager of research, Grant Barnes, says the council is relying on information from the 2006 census, which is becoming dated.

Mr Barnes says the council needs up-to-date data so it can ensure its vast transport system works efficiently and can set aside the right amount of land for future use.

To limit the delay in getting new figures, the Government should conduct the census in March next year, he says.