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Statistics New Zealand Security Statement
The New Zealand Census-Mortality Study was initiated by Dr Tony
Blakely and his co-researchers from the Wellington School of Medicine
& Health Sciences, University of Otago. It was approved by
the Government Statistician as a Data Laboratory project under
the Microdata Access Protocols. All research publications are
based on researcher initiated ideas.
Requirements of the Statistics Act
Under the Statistics Act 1975 the Government Statistician has
legal authority to collect and hold information about people,
households and businesses, as well as the responsibility of protecting
individual information and limits to the use to which such information
can be put. The obligations of the Statistics Act 1975 on data
collected under the Act are summarised below.
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Information collected under the Statistics Act 1975 can be
used only for statistical purposes.
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No information contained in any individual schedule is to
be separately published or disclosed to any person who is
not an employee of Statistics New Zealand, except as permitted
by sections 21(3B), 37A, 37B and 37C of the Act.
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This project was carried out under section 21(3B). Under
Section 21(3B) the Government Statistician requires an independent
contractor under contract to Statistics New Zealand, and any
employee of the contractor, to make a statutory declaration
of secrecy similar to that required of Statistics New Zealand
employees where they will have access to information collected
under the Act. For the purposes of implementing the confidentiality
provisions of the Act, such contractors are deemed to be employees
of Statistics New Zealand.
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Statistical information published by Statistics New Zealand,
and its contracted researchers, shall be arranged in such
a manner as to prevent any individual information from being
identifiable by any person (other than the person who supplied
the information), unless the person owning the information
has consented to the publication in such manner, or the publication
of information in that manner could not reasonably have been
foreseen.
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The Government Statistician is to make office rules to prevent
the unauthorised disclosure of individual information in published
statistics.
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Information provided under the Act is privileged. Except
for a prosecution under the Act, no information that is provided
under the Act can be disclosed or used in any proceedings.
Furthermore no person who has completed a statutory declaration
of secrecy under section 21 can be compelled in any proceedings
to give oral testimony regarding individual information or
produce a document with respect to any information obtained
in the course of administering the Act, except as provided
for in the Act.
Census data
The Population Census is the most important stocktake of the
population that is carried out. The statistics that are produced
provide a regular picture of society. Results are used widely
in making decisions affecting every neighbourhood. They are used
in planning essential local services, and they also help to monitor
social programmes ranging from housing to health.
Traditionally census data is published by Statistics New Zealand
in aggregated tables and graphs for use throughout schools, business
and homes. Recently Statistics New Zealand has sought to increase
the benefits that can obtained from its data by providing access
to approved researchers to carry out research projects. Microdata
access is provided, at the discretion of the Government Statistician,
to allow authoritative statistical research of benefit to the
public of New Zealand.
This project used anonymous census data and mortality data which
were integrated using a probabilistic linking methodology to create
a single dataset that allows the researchers to undertake a statistical
study of the association of mortality and socio-economic factors.
This is the first time that the census has been linked to an administrative
dataset for purposes apart from improving the quality of Statistics
New Zealand surveys. The project has been closely monitored to
ensure it complies with Statistics New Zealand's strict confidentiality
requirements.
Further information
For further information about confidentiality matters in regard
to this study please contact either:
Chief Analyst, Analytical Support Division, or
Project Manager, Data Laboratory
Statistics New Zealand
PO Box 2922
Wellington
New Zealand
Tel 64 4 931 4600
Fax 64 4 931 4610
Statistics
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This page maintained by jwilton@wnmeds.ac.nz.
Last updated 5th December, 2005.
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