2 Jul 2014

NZ stats programme used across Pacific region

7:47 pm on 2 July 2014

New Zealand's statistics minister, Nicky Wagner, says a computer system developed 25 years ago to help Pacific nations gather reliable trade information is now in use in more than a dozen countries.

The PC Trade system was developed by Statistics New Zealand to support Pacific countries with limited staff or resources.

The minister says the system, funded by the New Zealand aid programme, has been upgraded several times and is now used in the likes of Tonga, the Cook Islands, Kiribati and Niue.

Ms Wagner says robust and independent statistics are incredibly important, as they help governments and people make informed decisions.