Kia ora whanau
If you are like me, you will have received a mail packet for the Census.
It happens every five years, and it would be fair to say that a lot of people wonder why we do these things in the first place.
People like me who have worked in the government and social sectors for years forget that not everyone looks at the Census in the same way. For organisations like mine, the Census is crucial in understanding where our clients’ needs are and what areas of concern we should be focusing on.
However, for most whanau there is a question as to why it is so important. How does it affect me and why should I care?
We should care because the information from the Census is how the Government, Local Government and Social Agencies plan how they will meet the needs of all New Zealanders. If they don’t know about us, it’s one more excuse as to the reason why they don’t plan for us.
For Ngāti Hikairo, we are one of the tribal choices whānau can make when completing the Census and advising what iwi they wish to acknowledge. The inclusion of Ngāti Hikairo as a tribal option reinforces our status as an independent iwi and acknowledges our rangatiratanga.
For the Rūnanganui, we will be able to seek anonymised information from Statistics New Zealand regarding our iwi members that will help us plan any future initiatives around health and wellbeing, education, employment, development, and economic security.
Can I therefore ask whānau to take part and complete the Census. It is important to you and our iwi. You can complete it by filling out the forms that have been sent, or logging onto the Census website and completing the Census online. The Census website link is below:
If you have not received your Census Package, then please, call 0800 236 787 and get a pack delivered to you as soon as possible.
Naku Noa
Susan
Turner
Chair, Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo