The questionnaire module needs to collect ethnicity information in keeping with the ethnic group concept contained in this statistical standard. The ethnic concept used is self–identification. In recognition that some people belong to more than one ethnic group, provision for multiple responses per individual is required. Also, people need to be able to state their specific ethnic groups without being forced to identify themselves in a more general category. To meet these requirements the question needs to provide for collection of detailed information to allow classification at level 4. This will mean that a write–in area for responses is mandatory.
Data collected at the most detailed level of the classification can be aggregated into a smaller number of broader categories for output as users require.
It is recognised that some collections of ethnicity data, and in particular administrative data collections, may be unable to collect information at this level of detail. In these cases collection should use level 2 of the classification. Multiple responses for each individual need to be collected.
Note: Level 2 collection. Analysis of data may be compromised by those people who choose to write a response when a valid tick box is available. For example, people who answered Rarotongan rather than ticking Cook Islands Maori cannot be accurately coded unless write-in responses are processed. Another issue with level two collection is that it may not be comparable with data collected at level four if those who identify as New Zealander do not mark the 'other' tick box. These issues need to be taken into consideration when deciding to collect at level two of the classification.
Below are examples of questionnaire modules by mode. Other questionnaire modules may vary in format but should conform to the requirements contained in this statistical standard.
This is the ethnicity question for the 2001 and 2006 Censuses:
There is a button to click on for each option below.
Which ethnic group do you belong to?Mark the space or spaces which apply to you.
* New Zealand European* Māori* Samoan* Cook Islands Maori* Tongan* Niuean* Chinese* Indian* Other
Please state: eg Dutch, Japanese, Tokelauan(Another box opens to write in when 'Other' is clicked)
The interviewer states: please use this card to tell me which ethnic group or groups you belong to.
Showcard
O New Zealand EuropeanO MāoriO SamoanO Cook Islands MaoriO TonganO NiueanO ChineseO IndianO Other (such as Dutch, Japanese, Tokelauan). Please state.
The interviewer ticks all that apply. Asking the question in this way allows for more than one ethnicity to be selected. It also allows reporting of all other ethnic groups chosen by the person in the open ended 'other' category. It facilitates self-identification and allows the person to pick one or a number of categories that they identify with. This method reduces interviewer bias.
The interviewer states: I am going to read out a list of ethnic groups. Can you tell me which ethnic group or groups you belong to:
New Zealand European?Māori?Samoan?Cook Islands Maori?Tongan?Niuean?Chinese?Indian?Another ethnic group such as Dutch, Japanese or Tokelauan? Please say what it is.
The interviewer should read out each of the categories and wait for a yes/no answer to each. When a yes answer is given, the interviewer continues asking the rest of the list until it is completed.
Asking the question in this way allows for more than one ethnicity to be selected. It also allows reporting of all other ethnic groups chosen by the person in the open ended ‘Another ethnic group’ category. It facilitates self-identification and allows the person to pick one or a number of categories that they identify with. This method reduces interviewer bias.
New Zealand EuropeanEnglishAustralianDutchOther EuropeanMāoriSamoanCook Islands MaoriTonganNiueanTokelauanFijianOther Pacific PeoplesFilipinoChineseIndianJapaneseKoreanCambodianOther AsianMiddle EasternLatin AmericanAfricanOther
Note: Responses to Other are output as Other Ethnicity.
A coding tool is available from Classifications and Standards, Statistics New Zealand, to enable coding of responses to the correct category in level two of the classification, if people are unsure where to mark their response(s).