New Zealand’s Rainbow communities are being encouraged to take part and be counted in the 2023 Census, Stats NZ said today.
New questions about gender, sexual identity, and variations of sex characteristics are being included in the 2023 Census. It is the first time everyone will be asked a question on gender, and those aged 15 years and older will be asked questions on sexual identity and variations of sex characteristics.
It will be the first time people with genetic, hormonal, or physical sex characteristics that do not conform to medical norms for female or male bodies (often referred to as intersex) will be counted.
“We know that many individuals and community groups are keen to see data that better reflects who they are. It’s important that the census represents all the people of Aotearoa New Zealand,” Deputy Government Statistician and Deputy Chief Executive for Census and Collection Operations Simon Mason said.
Every community has its own unique footprint and needs, and the collection of information about Rainbow communities in Aotearoa New Zealand will help Rainbow groups and individuals advocate for their needs on the same footing as other New Zealanders.
“We’ve captured New Zealanders’ reactions to these changes to the census in a video that shows people talking about what the new questions will mean for them,” Mason said.
Neo Kenny from InsideOUT Kōaro, a national charity that supports Rainbow youth across Aotearoa New Zealand, welcomes the addition of the questions to the census.
“It’s going to be really wonderful to be able to share our full selves. The more data we have about our Rainbow communities, the more positive changes we can make,” Kenny said.
“Just as for other information collected in the census, it will be important to get quality responses to these new questions. This will help ensure the data is of a sufficient quality to be released after the census and fit for use by communities and decision makers,” Mason said.
For more information and to watch our video, see Data helps Rainbow youth be seen and supported | 2023 Census | Aotearoa New Zealand.
