Embargoed until 10:45am – 16 October 2008

Large statistical database now free

A large database of statistics, which was previously only available to paying customers, is now available free of charge on the Statistics New Zealand website, Government Statistician Geoff Bascand said today.

The database, called Infoshare, contains a large range of information that is useful to businesses, community groups, researchers, schools, and the general public. It will be added to virtually every weekday, within five minutes of new data being officially released.

“This tool carries information that people can tailor to their individual information needs. For example, if a planner needs to know how many construction companies there are in Taranaki employing between 10 and 19 people, or a student wants figures on how the Consumers Price Index has changed since 1914, they can get this data,” Mr Bascand said.

If a tourism operator wants to know how many people came to New Zealand for a holiday last year, and whether they were from Pakistan or Kazakhstan, then this information is now available on the Statistics NZ website www.stats.govt.nz.

Mr Bascand said that Statistics NZ expects Infoshare to be enhanced in the future. In addition to thousands of series currently covering economic indicators, business, population, tourism, work, income and spending, detailed import and export data will be added to the system in the future.

Mr Bascand said people without Internet access, or needing assistance with Infoshare, can call Statistics NZ’s Information Centre toll-free on 0508 525 525.

Geoff Bascand
Government Statistician
16 October 2008

ENDS

infosharemediabackgrounder.pdf

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