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A new data platform, Aotearoa Data Explorer, has been launched to provide New Zealanders with easier access to vital statistics, Statistics Minister Andrew Bayly announced. The new data tool replaces NZ.Stat, allowing users to search for data and create tailored views. The initiative aims to make data more accessible to individuals, businesses, and organisations, empowering them to make informed, data-driven decisions.
“To boost economic growth and productivity, we must embrace smarter ways of working, which includes adopting a more data-driven approach to decision-making,” said Minister Bayly. “One of my key priorities as Statistics Minister is to make the vast array of data collected by Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ) available to the general public and business owners who might not have the resources for extensive market research but can benefit from this information.”
Minister Bayly emphasised the importance of data in the digital age, referring to it as the “new oil.” Effective use of data enables more targeted and responsive decision-making for individuals, businesses, and government entities alike.
Stats NZ collects an extensive range of data from the Census, surveys, and administrative sources, covering various aspects of New Zealand life, including population trends, economic activity, and lifestyle habits. However, until now, much of this data was presented in technical formats aimed at experts. The launch of Aotearoa Data Explorer marks a shift toward making this information more accessible to a broader audience.
“Aotearoa Data Explorer is a user-friendly tool designed to replace the older NZ.Stat platform, making it easier to access data and build customised tables and graphs,” said Minister Bayly.
The tool is expected to be especially useful with the upcoming release of 2023 Census data, which will provide the most up-to-date information about New Zealand’s population, ethnicity, age, gender, housing, and iwi affiliation.
The new platform is still in its early stages, with work underway to migrate all of Stats NZ’s datasets to the system. However, Minister Bayly encouraged Kiwis to start using the tool and integrating data into their decision-making processes.
The 2023 Census data will be available on the Aotearoa Data Explorer starting October 3 at 10:45 a.m., providing valuable insights into New Zealand’s current demographic landscape.
Statistics New Zealand offers short tutorial videos and a detailed user guide to help users get started with Aotearoa Data Explorer. The video tutorials provide a basic overview of how to search, customise, and download tables. The user guide also explains how to use the platform and set up a Stats NZ API for more advanced users.
Since Aotearoa Data Explorer is still being developed, ongoing refinements to its search and filtering functions are expected. To ensure users get the best results, Stats NZ recommends watching the tutorials. The tool can be accessed directly at explore.data.stats.govt.nz.
Currently, Aotearoa Data Explorer hosts many important datasets, migrated from the previous platform, NZ.Stat. These include data on agriculture, business demography, census results (2013-2018), incomes, population estimates, and more. As additional data becomes available, it will be added to the platform, including the 2023 Census data, which will feature population and ethnicity details down to smaller geographic areas.
For those transitioning from NZ.Stat, a dataset mapping sheet is available to help locate migrated datasets. Older, less frequently used data will remain accessible through the older NZ.Stat platform until its eventual disconnection. Afterward, users can request this data through the Stats NZ Information Centre. Some historical datasets, such as those from the 2001 and 2006 censuses, are also being evaluated for future availability on Aotearoa Data Explorer.
Minister Bayly was confident in his hope that New Zealanders would take full advantage of this new resource, which marks a significant step toward making data more accessible and useful for everyone.
