Introduction
As a leading statistical agency, Statistics New Zealand is active in the statistical community and is focused on achieving objectives in a number of areas, for example:
- enabling New Zealand to influence the shape of the global statistical system
- making a contribution to the development of official statistics in 'high-priority' developing countries
- sharing knowledge and technology with other national statistics offices
- delivering business benefits to Statistics New Zealand through an extensive network of international relationships.
Through its International Relations Programme, Statistics New Zealand regularly welcomes overseas visitors from, and provides a range of support and technical assistance to, national statistical agencies, with a high-priority focus on the small island nations of the Pacific.
The programme, which was formally established in 1999, is the central contact point for all assistance requests and project manages all statistical development projects in developing countries.
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During the year to 30 June 2005, Statistics New Zealand achieved a number of notable milestones in the international statistical community, and also in the provision of assistance to developing nations that are important to New Zealand. The International Relations Annual Report outlines how and why the organisation is active in the international arena.
International Relations Annual Report (371 KB)
Reports will be produced periodically.
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Programme priorities
The priorities of the programme are to support and contribute to international statistical activities that are of importance to New Zealand and the Asia and Pacific regions, which are New Zealand's priority regions of interest.
Within these regions of interest, Statistics New Zealand:
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utilises the investment it has made in its staff, systems and processes, to address the requirements of other governments for robust economic and social statistics and
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works closely with key statistical organisations and donor agencies to:
Statistics New Zealand's technical assistance activities are not dictated by hard geographic boundaries; rather, they are determined more by size, capability and geographic position and by matching those attributes to capacity and capability according to countries' needs.
In practice, the Pacific Island countries provide the 'best fit' for Statistics New Zealand, making the region its primary focus.
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The delivery of assistance is based on the principles of:
- a partnership approach
- a long-term relationship focus
- long-term sustainability
- practical and relevant solutions.
The programme offers:
- project management
- internationally recognised methods, rules and processes
- user orientation and training
- comprehensive documentation
- support for work carried out.
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Areas of assistance include:
- specialist consultancy in national accounts, and economic and social survey development, operations and analysis
- training in survey procedures, interpretation and analysis of statistics, and general work practices
- specialised training at Statistics New Zealand for four Pacific Island statisticians for four weeks each year
- study visits to Statistics New Zealand by national statistics offices from developing countries in the region
- Excel-based systems that can be used to compile national accounts, balance of payments and consumer price indexes
- a PC-based trade system designed and used extensively by the small island nations of the Pacific.
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Conditions for the provision of assistance
- The overriding aim of Statistics New Zealand in providing assistance is to encourage developing countries to establish good statistical policies and methodologies through the transfer of knowledge and practical skills. We do not undertake statistical work for other countries; rather, our aim is to help countries to help themselves. Hence, an important criterion that Statistics New Zealand examines before responding to requests for assistance is the expected long-term benefit that will result for the statisticians in the recipient country. It is important for a country to ensure that it has the capacity to maintain expertise developed as a result of assistance.
- Further, the technical assistance provided by Statistics New Zealand is provided in response to requests to Statistics New Zealand from statistical agencies or funding organisations. Statistics New Zealand does not become involved with others in responding to public calls for tenders to provide technical assistance.
- Reimbursement for providing technical assistance is standard practice. The level of reimbursement is dependent on the nature of the assistance being provided. Statistics New Zealand does not look to recover costs for hosting attachments or visitors, but would charge on a 'full cost recovery' basis for specialist consultancy work including technology assistance.
- The biggest constraint on Statistics New Zealand's technical assistance activities is the availability of staff to undertake the work. The fundamental role of Statistics New Zealand is to provide a statistical service to the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand community generally. As such, Statistics New Zealand must ensure that its core outputs are not put at risk. Statistics New Zealand's ability to provide expertise therefore continues to be dependent on having personnel who are both available and suitable.
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Statistical coordination in the Pacific
New Zealand's wider economic and social role in the Pacific Islands means that statistical development issues in this region are given special attention by Statistics New Zealand. This is achieved by working in close partnership with key agencies such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, based in Noumea, New Caledonia; the International Monetary Fund's Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre, based in Suva, Fiji; and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Statistics New Zealand supports those regional initiatives that contribute directly to statistical development and fit with the overall strategic direction for the region, and looks to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community to undertake the key coordination role in this regard.
I would like to know more
Visit the Secretariat of the Pacific Community website, or more specifically go to the Statistics Programme part of the website.
For information on our International Relations Programme and for technical assistance as outlined above contact:
Manager, International Business Relations
Statistics New Zealand
PO Box 2922
Wellington
New Zealand
Phone: +64 4 931 4705
Mobile: +64 21 575 528
Fax: +64 4 931 4610
If you require statistics on New Zealand and its people, email your request to info@stats.govt.nz.
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