- Hon Scott Simpson
- Hon Mark Patterson
Rural families, communities and businesses will be better represented by a new work programme to strengthen rural data in New Zealand’s official statistics, Statistics Minister Scott Simpson and Rural Community Minister Mark Patterson say.
“Rural communities have vastly different needs. A refreshed focus on statistics for rural areas is key to understanding them, and making better policy decisions,” Mr Simpson says.
The joint programme, by Stats NZ and the Office for Rural Communities (Ministry for Primary Industries) was established in March to improve understanding of the challenges they face and the opportunities available for people living rurally.
“This can help with national and local decisions on infrastructure, including transport, education, and employment, and measure the impacts of those decisions,” Mr Simpson says.
The work will improve rural analysis methods, making them more accessible to researchers and policy makers.
New Zealand’s largest research database, the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), absorbs data from across Government agencies, Stats NZ surveys and non-government organisations.
“Modernising the IDI is a priority for this Government, with $57.7m committed in Budget 2026 to upgrade our access to useful data,” Mr Simpson says.
“It provides a wealth of information on rural communities that will become easier to access.”
Stats NZ and the Office of Rural Communities will continue to work together to improve rural data and analysis.
Mr Patterson welcomed the work to further strengthen the evidence base that supports rural communities and rural policy development, which will see 400,000 people being reclassified as rural.
“Rural communities continue to power New Zealand’s economy and prosperity,” Mr Patterson says.
“This joint work programme will provide comprehensive data that will support the ongoing success of these vital communities and highlight their important contribution.”
“Continuing to work collaboratively on this programme will enable a strong and positive result for rural communities,” Mr Patterson says.
