This information paper provides:
Statistics NZ, in its role as leader of the Official Statistics System, aims to ensure that official statistics provide a consistent and coherent picture of New Zealand's economy, society, and environment. This allows comparisons to be readily made over time and across geographic areas, industries, and other domains. Data produced from different sources and at different times can be brought together to provide a richer dataset for analysis. Data can also be used beyond the initial purpose for which it was produced. Three key strategies to facilitate data integration are used with statistics produced by statistics NZ and in other official statistics, they are:
To ensure that statistical standards and standard classifications remain relevant and reflect the New Zealand context, it is essential that:
A statistical standard contains a rationale for the measure, the concept, definition(s), and operational guidelines. A classification is created to group a set of related categories in a meaningful, systematic, and standard format. Statistics NZ maintains a large variety of statistical standards and standard classifications and these can be accessed from the Classifications and related statistical standards web page.
Every standard classification should be reviewed at appropriate intervals to ensure it is still relevant and meeting the needs of key users. Three types of reviews can be undertaken for a statistical classification:
An update occurs for operational reasons, ie an immediate response to reflect needs in administrative collections or because of legislative change. An update does not alter the conceptual base of a standard or a classification and should only have minimal impact on the classification structure (particularly if it is a hierarchical classification).
A minor review occurs on a regular schedule as agreed with stakeholders and/or between the statistical agencies, and as work programmes and resources allow. The scope of a minor review may include some or all of the following:
A minor review will usually occur every 4–5 years after a major review, unless a shorter timeframe is needed, and usually will occur between population censuses. A minor review does not alter the conceptual base of a classification, may change the classification structure at the lowest level of a hierarchical classification, but does not change higher levels of a classification. top
A major review occurs on a regular schedule as agreed with stakeholders or users and/or between the statistical agencies, and as the work programmes and resources allow, or if there is a significant change in an international classification which impacts on an existing standard classification used in New Zealand. A major review may include some or all of the following:
A major review will occur every 10–15 years subject to stakeholder needs, real world changes, and/or an agreed review cycle/strategy as determined with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Note: The definitions for both a minor and major review can equally apply to a statistical standard. top
Several different factors influence the review process. The criteria that can prompt a need to review a particular statistical standard or standard classification can arise from both internal and external sources. The major influences are listed below.
Contemporary changes to or interpretations of concepts, definitions, or categories captured by the statistical standard or standard classification need updating to maintain relevance or continue to reflect real world situations.
The needs of key stakeholders, such as other government agencies, or users from the public, can change in such a way as to affect the statistical standard or standard classification in question. Users can question the utility, accessibility, or user-friendliness of the concept and definition of the statistical standard or structure of the classification, and interest groups are able to raise new issues and represent their viewpoints to Statistics New Zealand through specific consultation processes.
The redefinition, restructuring, or refocusing of concepts within the statistical standard or standard classification can affect the need for review.
Legislative changes can be a reason for updating or reviewing a statistical standard or standard classification. top
Some statistical standard classifications may be wholly or partly based on their equivalent international standard classification, as harmonisation between the different statistical standard classifications is often advantageous, enabling data comparison and enhancing the usefulness of the data. Changes in the international statistical standard classification can necessitate reviewing an existing New Zealand Standard Classification.
In support of the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement, Statistics NZ and the Australian Bureau of Statistics have a policy of working towards developing harmonised standard classifications. Some of the many benefits of developing joint standard classifications are the ability to:
Joint classifications such as these therefore have their review schedules influenced by competing demands relevant to either or both statistical agencies, such as funding and staffing resources.
The five-yearly Census of Population and Dwellings is the most comprehensive and extensive Statistics NZ undertaking and requires up-to-date statistical standards or standard classifications to give all users of census data accurate information. Statistical standards or standard classifications can depend on census data to determine the need for a review, so reviews may be scheduled to fit around the census cycle.
Funding and staffing availability within Statistics NZ and/or relevant stakeholders, including other government agencies, can influence the review schedule. Major reviews, and reviews of especially large classifications such as the Australia New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC), can take from three to five years and involve several experienced staff to complete in full. To ensure statistical standards and standard classifications are as relevant and up-to-date as possible, discussions about undertaking minor reviews more frequently, ie every two to three years, are currently underway. Therefore, review schedules may be subject to change. top
Where appropriate, Statistics NZ develops statistical standards and standard classifications that are compatible with existing international classifications and seeks to influence the development of relevant international standards and classifications. Often international statistical standard classifications are modified to meet New Zealand needs or reflect particular legislative, economic, or social requirements. Where international statistical standard classifications do exist, Statistics NZ will vary from these only when there is a need to identify particular concepts or items that are significant from a New Zealand perspective and are not suitably covered by the international statistical standard classification or where New Zealand laws require different treatments. For example, the countries listed in the New Zealand Standard Classification of Countries (NZSCC) are all countries that are recognised as such by the New Zealand government. Statistics NZ is a member of many international statistical agencies and organisations, including United Nations Statistics Division, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Economic and Social Commission for Asia, and the Pacific and City Groups of Statistical Methodology. In particular, Statistics NZ has cultivated a close relationship with the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The two organisations have worked to develop joint statistical standards and standard classifications, such as ANZSIC and the Australia New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation (ANZSCO), and regularly communicate on matters of trans-Tasman importance.
Statistics NZ aims to consult with the public when the decision to undertake a review is made. Throughout the review process, key stakeholders are identified and invited to comment. Members of the public with an interest in the classification are also able to express their views. However, it should be noted that not all user comments and suggestions can always be incorporated into the final version of a statistical standard or standard classification.
Please send submissions, expressions of interest, or questions relating to statistical standards and classifications to: classifications@stats.govt.nz top
The following table outlines the intended review schedule of statistical standards or standard classifications for the next five to six years and is subject to user needs and real world influences. This list is not exhaustive; many other statistical standards or standard classifications will be reviewed because of either user needs or changes identified through such things as the five-yearly Census of Population and Dwellings.
Intended review schedule for statistical standards or standard classifications