Public Health Association media release 25 February 2011

The Public Health Association (PHA) agrees with the announcement made today by Government Statistician Geoff Bascand and Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson that the 8 March 2011 Census will be postponed.

National Executive Officer Dr Gay Keating said census data is vital to New Zealand and it is extremely important that we do it at a time when the entire nation can take part.

“We agree that it’s completely unthinkable to ask New Zealanders, and especially those in Canterbury, to concern themselves with a census at this time of suffering and trauma. It’s equally unthinkable to conduct the census and not involve the people in Canterbury.”

Dr Keating said the census is essential to understanding the wellbeing of New Zealanders and their families/whanau on the whole.

“Census results are important, not just to the statisticians and number crunchers, but to all New Zealanders. They tell us how the “family next door” is doing and how many of us are poor or needy in some way. They let us know about social trends and where we need to concentrate our public health spending and efforts.

“The census is the way we, as a country, can take regular stock of what’s happening for all of us. The PHA looks forward to Canterbury being whole again, and the time being right to conduct the census in the not too distant future.”

ENDS

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