Introduction
The General Social Survey (GSS) is a multidimensional survey of well-being. It collects information on a range of social topics on a regular basis, to enable cross-sectoral and trend analysis of social outcomes.
The GSS went into the field in April 2008 following a successful pilot field test in August 2007. Data items for each of the social outcome domains were determined based on the provisional range of topics for inclusion stated in the Social Survey Content Evaluation update. The attached chart outlines the content of the GSS.
The first release report is scheduled for October 2009 with the survey scheduled to be run every two years.
The key objectives of the General Social Survey are
- to provide data on the social well-being of New Zealanders aged 15 years and over across the Programme of Official Social Statistics (POSS) social outcome domains.
- to enable the analysis of the interrelationship of outcomes across the domains for adults aged 15 years and over
- to provide a base for monitoring changes in social outcomes over time and across population groups, using both self-assessed and objective measures
- to determine the key factors (both positive and negative) associated with the overall well-being of New Zealanders.
Key indicators of social well-being from each social outcome domain
The GSS will produce estimates for the following key social outcomes analysed by the key population sub-groups listed below:
- health status
- experience of safety and security issue(s) in the last 12 months
- total personal income in last 12 months
- current labour force status
- major housing problems
- satisfaction with amount of leisure time
- access to and condition of the built environment
- highest qualification
- sense of belonging to New Zealand
- availability of help in times of need
- experience of discrimination in the last 12 months
- overall life satisfaction
The key population groups of interest are
- sex (male, female)
- age (15–24 years, 25–34 years, 35–44 years, 45–54 years, 55–64 years, 65+ years)
- ethnicity (Maori, non-Maori)
- family type (Couple without children, Couple with child(ren), One parent with child(ren), non-family). Family Type will also be combined with the standard classification for child dependency status.
Secondary population groups of interest are
- region (Auckland, Wellington, Northland group comprising Northland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, rest of North Island, Canterbury, rest of South Island)
- labour force status (employed, unemployed, not in the labour force)
- educational level (no qualifications, school qualification, post school qualification)
- country of birth (NZ born, not NZ born)
- generation of New Zealander (first generation, second generation)
- social marital status (Partnered, non-partnered)
- household income (five bands)
- tenure of household (owned, rented)
- household composition (one family, more than one family, multiperson, one person)
Sample
The GSS will provide estimates at a national level. Dwellings will be selected at random using a multistage sample design. The GSS will have an achieved sample size of 8,000 individuals.
Target Population
The usually resident population aged 15 and over for the GSS and aged 18 and over for the Economic Living Standard Index Short Form (ELSI) whose usual residence is in private dwellings on the North Island, South Island or Waiheke Island of New Zealand.
This includes:
- New Zealand usual residents temporarily overseas
- New Zealand usual residents temporarily staying elsewhere in NZ (including other permanent and temporary private dwellings, institutions and non-private dwellings and people who have no fixed abode but were found in private dwellings on the household enumeration date)
- People in the NZ armed forces if they reside in a private dwelling.
and excludes:
- Overseas visitors who intend to stay in NZ for less than 12 months
- Non-NZ diplomats and diplomatic staff, and their dependants
- Members of non-NZ armed forces stationed in NZ and their dependants
- People usually resident in institutions or in other non-private dwelling establishments such as boarding houses, hotels, motels and hostels
- People living on off-shore islands other than Waiheke Island.
Survey Population
The usually resident population aged 15 and over for the GSS and aged 18 and over for the Economic Living Standard Index Short Form (ELSI) whose usual residence is in private dwellings on the North Island, South Island or Waiheke Island of New Zealand.
This excludes:
- New Zealand usual residents temporarily overseas who don't return within the survey period
- New Zealand usual residents temporarily staying elsewhere in NZ (including other permanent and temporary private dwellings, institutions and non-private dwellings and people who have no fixed abode but stay at private dwellings) who don't return within the survey period
- New Zealand usual residents who live in remote areas that are costly or difficult to access.
Data Collection
The data is collected using computer assisted personal interviews (CAPI) of an average 45 minutes in duration. Initially some general information will be collected about the household prior to one person aged 15 years or over from each participating household being randomly selected to complete the interview. Some contextual information about other household members will be asked of the selected person.
The Economic Living Standard Index Short Form (ELSI), which makes up part of the questionnaire, will only be collected if the selected respondent is aged 18 years and over. The data collection will take place over a twelve month period.
GSS Development
The General Social Survey Content Evaluation update.pdf (48 KB) summarises the submissions received, outlines the content development work done as at November 2005, contains a provisional range of topics for inclusion, and discusses the evaluation process and further work to be done.
This paper follows on from the preliminary views paper.pdf (242 KB), which formed the basis for the GSS submission process on content in September 2005.
Information and help
If you have any queries, please contact Social Conditions Business Unit, Statistics New Zealand:
Email: social.conditions@stats.govt.nz
Phone: (04) 931-4600
Fax: (04) 931-4316
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