Let me tell you about the Statistics Act. It sets out the law for official statistics and it enables Stats New Zealand to provide access to data for research and analysis in carefully controlled situations.
But the Act is now over 40 years old.
It was designed in the early 1970s when we did most things on paper, desktop computers were only just becoming a thing, and mobile phones were a bit like bricks.
The Act has done well though, but it’s definitely aging. Without change it could inhibit the value of data.
We need new data and statistics legislation that better reflects the world we live in today, and that can adapt to future changes. That’s what my team is working on.
At the end of 2018, we asked New Zealanders what they thought, and we heard back from close to 600 people. Those views will help to work out what the new law should say.
We heard that the new law will need to ensure data is collected, managed, shared, and analysed in ways that are safe, transparent, and fair.
That the new law will have to support the modern production of statistics to help New Zealand measure what matters, and to support the use of data and statistics for decision-making, innovation, and better outcomes.
We also heard that it will need to enable government, iwi and Māori, business, NGOs, communities, all of us, to benefit from the trusted use of data through research and analysis.
At this stage, the earliest new data and statistics legislation could be in place is the second half of 2020. There will be more opportunities to comment, particularly during the Select Committee process. Or you can send us an email anytime.
Thank you. Ka kite anō.