New tool for exploring wellbeing data

New Zealanders can explore how wellbeing has changed over time in a new interactive tool, Stats NZ said today.

The wellbeing time series explorer allows people to compare selected wellbeing data from the 2014, 2016, and 2018 general social surveys (GSS). It can be used to produce data tables and graphs to show GSS results for different demographic groups in New Zealand, as well as changes in wellbeing over time. The tool is also mobile friendly.

This diagram shows a sample page from the wellbeing time series explorer app. It shows the mean rating of selected wellbeing measures for New Zealanders, 2018

“The new tool represents GSS time series data in a simple and user-friendly manner. It provides ease of use, and the ability to share and represent wellbeing information in tables and visualisations,” wellbeing and housing statistics manager Dr Claire Bretherton said.

The launch of the new tool coincides with the start of collection for the next GSS. The GSS was due to begin collection on 1 April 2020, however, as the survey is collected via face-to-face interview, this was delayed due to COVID-19. Collection of GSS 2021 began on 1 April 2021 and will run to 31 March 2022, with initial results expected to be published in mid-2022. The time series explorer will be updated to include this new data once it is available.

About the GSS

The GSS gives a picture of social wellbeing in the New Zealand population. The survey, of around 8,500 people aged 15 years and over, is collected every two years. The GSS covers a wide range of social and economic outcomes and looks at how these vary across different population groups. It provides information on how New Zealanders are faring across multiple life domains, such as life satisfaction, health, social connectedness, culture and identity, and overall subjective wellbeing.

Find out about the tool and data behind it at Wellbeing time series explorer.

/Stats NZ Public Release. View in full here.