1. Business Performance & Energy group update
The last few months have been busy, with a range of results released from our 2009 suite of surveys, and preparations in full swing for our 2010 surveys.
There has been a range of recent budget announcements in the areas of ICT, R&D, and Innovation so interest in related data is high. Demand for our prototype Longitudinal Business Database (LBD) continues, with a growing range of outputs being produced by researchers in other organisations.
Meeting these demands will require continued development of the surveys, but we are well placed to meet these challenges, with a degree of flexibility in our existing range of surveys and databases. A number of updates and improvements have been made to our 2010 collections, in consultation with key users, so the next few months promise to be as busy as the last few.
2. Information and communication technology programme
Internet service providers
The Internet Service Provider (ISP) Survey is a census of all New Zealand-based Internet Service Providers. It aims to capture the total number of Internet subscribers in New Zealand, as well as the rates of internet connections via fibre, cable, satellite, and wireless.
Over the last few months the team has been gathering information and reviewing the survey and has made some small changes to continue to meet its users' needs.
The next Internet Service Provider Survey will be posted out in early July 2010 and results will be available in mid October 2010.
For further information contact Geraldine Duoba: info@stats.govt.nz.
Information and communication technology supply
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Supply Survey measures the sale of goods and services from businesses associated with ICT industries, based on OECD definitions.
Currently we are in the process of assessing and finalising the population for the 2009/10 survey. This will be in the field in August this year and results will be published in April 2011.
For further information contact Will Lu: info@stats.govt.nz.
Household information and communication technology
Results from the Household Use of ICT Survey 2009 were published on 16 April 2010, and showed that broadband was available in more than one million homes. One in two rural homes had broadband, and nearly two-thirds of urban households had broadband.
The survey will next be run in 2012 and we plan to fully review the questionnaire and its content during 2011. Any interested parties wishing to talk to us about future content can contact Geraldine Duoba: info@stats.govt.nz.
Business use of ICT
Information on New Zealand businesses’ use of ICT data is collected every two years, as one of three modules within the annual Business Operations Survey (BOS). Latest results from the ICT module are available in the 2008 release of the survey, and can be found here.
The business use of ICT module will be next run later this year as part of BOS 2010 (see below), after which content will be reviewed for relevancy.
3. Business operations
Initial results from the Business Operations Survey 2009 were released on 23 April 2010, and were followed by the release of all tables from the survey on 30 April.
We are currently preparing the Innovation in New Zealand 2009 report that will be released 30 June. This report explores innovation more thoroughly than the releases so far this year.
The 2010 questionnaire has been finalised and will be posted out in August. The questionnaire includes modules on business operations; business use of ICT; price and wage setting; and financing. Results for the 2010 survey will be released April 2011.
We are in the process of inviting expressions of interest for the contestable component of the 2011 survey. Bids for this close on 30 June 2010.
For further information, contact Kathy Jackson: info@stats.govt.nz.
4. Screen industry
The latest results from the Screen Industry Survey 2008/09 were released on 28 April 2010. New Zealand’s screen industry revenue rose 3 percent to more than $2.8 billion in 2009. This growth was led by increases in digital animation revenue.
Screen Industry Survey Regional Data for 2008/09 was released on 12 May 2010. This is the first time Statistics NZ has released a regional breakdown of data from the Screen Industry Survey. In 2009, the Auckland region dominated the New Zealand screen industry, in terms of total revenue and number of businesses, while the Wellington region was ahead in post-production revenue.
The Screen Industry Survey collects information about the size and nature of the screen industry in New Zealand. Screen industry refers to all businesses involved in the following sectors: screen production and post-production, distribution, exhibition, and broadcasting.
For further information contact Geraldine Duoba: info@stats.govt.nz.
5. Research and development
The next Research and Development (R&D) Survey 2010 will be posted out in August 2010. Results of this Survey will be released in March 2011. Small improvements and an update of content has been made after consultation with stakeholders.
For further information, contact Ritesh Anand: info@stats.govt.nz.
6. Bioscience
Results from the Bioscience Survey 2009 were released on 15 February 2010.
This was the first time data from the Bioscience Survey had been released. Compared with the Biotechnology Survey which it replaced, the Bioscience Survey takes a wider approach, but keeps biotechnology at its core, thereby allowing international comparisons to be made.
The Bioscience project leaders attended the NZBIO conference in Auckland, in mid March. Reference was made to the Bioscience results, and a copy of the release provided to attendees.
The Bioscience Survey is in the process of being handed over to Ben Nimmo. For further information he can be contacted at info@stats.govt.nz.
7. New Zealand energy use
The Energy Use Survey 2010 is currently in the field, with results available on 15 October. This iteration of the Energy Use Survey covers the following industries:
• manufacturing
• electricity, gas, water, and waste services
• construction
• wholesale trade
• retail trade
• transport, postal, and warehousing.
Last year the survey covered the primary industries: Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining.
In 2011 the survey will cover:
• accommodation and food services
• information, media, and telecommunications
• financial and insurance services
• rental, hiring, and real estate services
• professional, scientific, and technical services
• administrative and support services
• public administration and safety
• education and training
• healthcare and social assistance
• arts and recreation services
• other services.
The survey is now being led by Meighan Ragg. For further information please contact: info@stats.govt.nz.
8. Improved Business Understanding via Longitudinal Database Development
The prototype Longitudinal Business Database (LBD) contains integrated data from survey and administrative sources, and is used for microdata research. It was created by the two-year feasibility project, IBULDD (Improved Business Understanding via Longitudinal Database Development). The database contains a wide range of longitudinal, annual, enterprise-based data on New Zealand businesses.
The annual update has been completed and the LBD now contains data from 2000 to 2008. This update included newly integrated data from the International Trade in Services and Royalties Survey. Many of the researchers using the LBD are preparing papers for the New Zealand Association of Economists Conference 2010. This year's conference includes papers on foreign ownership, service exporters, training and skills shortages.
For further information, contact Julia Gretton: info@stats.govt.nz.
9. Statistics NZ releases new tool for businesses
You may also be interested to know that Statistics New Zealand has just released Business Toolbox, a free suite of online tools that provide quick and easy access to information for businesses. The Business Toolbox contains two tools:
- Market Mapper – businesses can visually pinpoint their target markets by selecting a number of characteristics such as age, income, household composition, and family type.
- Industry Profiler – provides details on industry performance over time, staff turnover, and survival of similar-sized businesses by region.
To access Business Toolbox go to: www.stats.govt.nz/businesstoolbox
If you need any assistance with the Business Toolbox, or any of our online tools, please contact our Information Centre on 0508 525 525 or email info@stats.govt.nz.
10. Who’s who in Business Performance
Andrew Neal, Energy Use Statistical Analyst
Ben Nimmo, Bioscience Project Leader
Carolina Cladellas Escola, ICT Suite Statistical Analyst
Chloe Lynch, Questionnaire Design
Gary Dunnet, Manager, Business Performance, Energy and Agriculture
Geraldine Duoba, Screen Project Leader
Hamish Hill, Energy & Innovation Project Manager
Julia Gretton, Screen, ICT & Research Project Manager
Kathy Jackson, Business Operations Project Leader
Meighan Ragg, Energy Use Project Leader
Ritesh Anand, Research and Development Project Leader
Rosi Zeiske, Business Operations Statistical Analyst
Will Lu, Screen Industry Statistical Analyst
Yolandi deBeer, IBULDD Statistical Analyst
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