Statistics New Zealand undertakes a systematic and comprehensive process to regularly update classifications and standards. The review team includes topic specialists within Statistics New Zealand, while stakeholders comprise central and local government and other key external users of the data. Stakeholders are invited to discuss issues with, and potential changes to, the current classifications and standards.
The review team undertakes research to assess the current state of the classification and standard, the issues involved, and historical and international practices. A revised classification and standard is drafted and taken to stakeholders for consultation. The consultation is an iterative process, ensuring that all stakeholders have multiple opportunities to express views and raise concerns. The reviewed classification and standard is developed to ensure that it is fit for purpose, comparable with international standards and relevant to the New Zealand context.
After the review team and stakeholders are satisfied with the reviewed classification and standard, both the classification and standard are submitted to an internal approval process, endorsed by a Statistics New Zealand management board and approved by the Government Statistician. The classification and standard is then published to the web, implemented into statistical outputs and promoted across the Official Statistics System.
For more information about the review process, see the Classifications and standards review process.
A review of the New Zealand Standard Institutional Sector Classification (NZISC) 1996 is currently being undertaken. Issues have arisen in the sector classification due to changes in the New Zealand economy. The objective of the review is to update the classification to accurately reflect current sectors and to align the classification with the 2008 revision of the System of National Accounts (SNA2008).
For questions about the classifications and related statistical standards on this website please email: classifications@stats.govt.nz