In Brief

IN BRIEF

Census day approaching



It is just six weeks until census day on Tuesday, 5 March. Census 2011 was cancelled following the Christchurch earthquake, making the 2013 Census arguably one of the most important in recent times.

Health, education and other community services around the country will get the information they need for their planning.

“We know government, local government and many others are keenly awaiting the results of this census so that they can use the information to make well-informed decisions for our country and communities in the future,” say 2013 Census general manager Carol Slappendel.

Statistics New Zealand is employing more than 7500 temporary workers in jobs including district supervisors, community liaison advisers and Census collectors.

Collectors will begin going door-to-door delivering internet access codes and paper forms from February 16.

Everyone who is in New Zealand on 5 March 2013 must fill in a census form.



Census results should be available from around December 2013.

Council meetings to move around district 

Kaipara District Council will hold formal council meetings in different parts of the district in 2013 to make it easier for residents and ratepayers to attend. 

This year, monthly council meetings will no longer just be held in Dargaville. Instead commissioners have asked they be spread throughout the district, including potentially on marae. 

Chair of commissioners, John Robertson, said it was important that all ratepayers could easily attend meetings and that anything the council could do to help should be encouraged. 

“Not everyone likes meetings of course, and some people may prefer not to come. But we should encourage those who do by minimising their travelling time. Council meetings provide a good insight into council business and this will provide an opportunity for people to meet the commissioners, chief executive and senior staff after the meeting.” 

A schedule of council meetings including dates and venues will be posted on council’s website and will also be well advertised throughout the district. Visit www.kaipara.govt.nz.

Northland most pessimistic region

Northlanders confidence in their regional economy has continued to slightly improve over the last three quarters but remains the lowest in the country, according to the latest Westpac McDermott Miller Regional Economic Confidence survey.

Findings show households expecting good economic times in the region over the year ahead slightly rose from a net -31 percent in September to a net -28 percent in December.

The national average was for a net 13 percent to expect good times ahead for their region.

“The local housing market remains weak, and at over ten percent Northland’s unemployment rate is the highest in New Zealand,” says Westpac senior economist Felix Delbrück.

Separately, the regional breakdown of the Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index showed Northland consumer confidence fell from 100.2 in September to 97.8 in December, sitting equal with Waikato as the lowest regions in the country. The national average sits at 111.1.