Census pack

This unused 2011 Census pack was prepared for two Wellington residents, but the Census could not be held on 8 March 2011 as planned, due to the Christchurch earthquake on 22 February 2011 which caused severe damage and resulted in the loss of 185 lives.

The Government Statistician decided that a census could not be successfully completed in 2011 given the national state of emergency and the probable impact on census results. There was also extensive damage to Statistics New Zealand buildings in Christchurch with significant impacts on census staff. The next census was held on 5 March 2013.

This pack is a reminder of the huge impact of the Canterbury earthquakes on New Zealand society as a whole.