A census pilot scheme in Oamaru, which aimed to find ways of reducing the estimated $90 million cost to the Government of running the national census, will be used to plan the census in 2018, Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says.
While most of New Zealand had census forms hand-delivered during last month's census, people in Oamaru received only letters containing internet access codes, to encourage a greater number of people to take part online.
Residents not wanting to use online returns had to request a paper form. Mr Williamson said although results were still being worked through, more than 65% of census forms in the town were completed on the internet.
No decision had been made about the final shape of the next census but it was ''clear'' the online option would play a major part.
''The success of this pilot will help in planning for the next census.
''In the meantime, Statistics New Zealand now has the enormous job of processing more than 5.6 million forms (online and hard copy), with the results being available from December this year.''
Outside Oamaru, the national online uptake was 35%, he said.
At its peak on census day, March 5, the system handled 130,000 forms an hour, he said.
