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Who responded as 'New Zealander'?

According to a report released by Statistics New Zealand today, 429,429 people gave 'New Zealander' as the only or as one of their responses to the ethnicity question in the 2006 Census. This represents 11.1 percent of New Zealand's total population, and compares with 2.4 percent in 2001. The New Zealander response has been growing with each census since 1986.

The Profile of New Zealander Responses, Ethnicity Question: 2006 Census, (available at http://www.stats.govt.nz/) provides background and analysis on some of the differences and similarities between New Zealander responses and other categories.

In the 2006 Census, those identifying as New Zealander:

• cover all ages, and are more likely to be male
• have higher regional proportions in the South Island than the North Island
• are most often born in New Zealand.

In contrast to the total population those identifying as New Zealander:
• have an older median age, and tend to have more educational qualifications
• are less likely to be of Māori descent, and have higher incomes
• smoke less than the total population
• are more likely to live in a rural area.

Government Statistician Geoff Bascand said that "although the census recorded a change in response to the New Zealander category in 2006, to date other collections of official statistics have not seen a similar pattern. The way that information is collected, the population the information is collected from, and the context the collection takes place in, can affect the way people respond to ethnicity questions."

Trends in ethnic groups over time will be affected by both changes in the actual ethnic make up of the population and changes in the ways that people choose to report their identity. The measure used to collect ethnicity data in official statistics is based on cultural affiliation and self-identification.

New categories were added to the ethnicity classification in 2005, in line with changes in New Zealand society. This included a separate category for New Zealander responses. Previously these responses were classified with New Zealand European. The new category allows Statistics NZ and other interested parties to monitor the characteristics and size of the category. Monitoring is part of the process to consider the best way to structure the classification in the future.

ENDS

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