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SourceNZers' views sought on question of ethnicity
New 11:52AM Monday Apr 27, 2009
After much debate during the 2006 Census about how New Zealanders should express their ethnicity, Statistics New Zealand is asking the public for feedback.
Official ethnicity statistics count the number of people in different ethnic groups in New Zealand, such as Maori, Pacific peoples, Chinese and Indian.
The figures are used by government, service providers and communities to plan and deliver programmes, particularly in the health and social services sectors.
In 2006, there was considerable public debate about ethnicity, including a high-profile campaign for the inclusion of a "New Zealander" tick-box in the census ethnicity question.
Statistics New Zealand today released a discussion paper which recommends no changes to the ethnicity question for the 2011 Census.
Initial consultation suggested that including a "New Zealander" tick-box would alter the meaning of the question so it was more about nationality and less about ethnicity.
This could affect the accuracy and usefulness of the data collected, SNZ said.
I'd be interested to know what other colonials consider their ethnicity as on Census forms and what options you are given.
Here in New Zealand the current option is New Zealand/European which is something I strongly identify with. As I am only a second generation New Zealander on my paternal side I do not know if I would feel comfortable just ticking New Zealander as I don't believe it means much
Thoughts everyone?
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