Concerns about completing a survey?

Our respondent charters outline the standard of commitment that respondents can expect from Statistics New Zealand. If you believe that we have not met the required standard, we would like to know why, and to have an opportunity to resolve your concern.

We will try to resolve your concern promptly, fairly, and fully within 15 working days. If we cannot resolve it immediately, we will let you know. 

Respondent advocate

Statistics New Zealand has appointed a respondent advocate, who works on behalf of respondents to review our survey demands on individuals, households, or businesses.

This role is separate from the operational processes associated with collection activities of Statistics NZ and enables objective advice to be provided to the Government Statistician.

If we do not resolve the concern to your satisfaction, you can contact the respondent advocate:

The Respondent Advocate
Statistics New Zealand
P O Box 2922
Wellington

Specific activities associated with the role of respondent advocate include:

  • reviewing respondent requests for relief and providing advice to the Government Statistician
  • reviewing proposals for new survey collections and providing advice to the Government Statistician
  • reviewing respondent load measures to identify ‘unreasonable demands’.

When to contact the respondent advocate

You should contact the advocate if you:

  • feel unhappy with Statistics NZ's response to your concern or your issue
  • are concerned about the confidentiality or security of your information.

What you can expect

In dealing with Statistics NZ, you can expect that the respondent advocate will:

  • review your issue or concern if you have been unsuccessful in having this satisfactorily resolved by Statistics NZ
  • support cases for survey relief where the demands on a respondent are outside acceptable ‘load thresholds’
  • engage with respondents to understand their concerns or issues with Statistics NZ collections
  • be professional, courteous, and respond promptly to any request
  • explain clearly what information we need and how the collected information is used.