Mandated standards candidates selected for Māori business, ethnicity, Māori descent, and iwi affiliation

The Mandated Standards team at Stats NZ have been working with the Mandated Standards Implementation and Review Committee (IRC) to identify appropriate standards to mandate for Māori business, ethnicity, Māori descent, and iwi affiliation. 

After careful consideration, the current candidates (standards) chosen to be considered for mandate and use across the Public Service are:

• the Data standard for Māori business
• the Data standard for ethnicity
• the Data standard for Māori descent
• the Data standard for iwi and iwi related groups.

Stats NZ believes that time and effort spent on assessing the implementation, impacts, and usability of candidates is a good investment for agencies, given they are likely to become mandated in future.

Data standard for Māori business

The Data standard for Māori business was published on the Stats NZ website on 28 July 2022.

A thorough process with multiple stages of engagement was followed to develop the standard, including public consultation, focus group hui with Māori business representatives, and cognitive testing. The results from the public consultation were analysed and published in the Māori business definition Consultation Findings. 

Stats NZ has decided to delay the endorse and mandate phase of the mandated standards process for this standard. This is because this is a newly developed standard, and we recognise the need to socialise it and understand the impact on users and stakeholders before it is mandated.

Despite not being a mandated standard, Stats NZ encourages agencies to adopt the standard. If you would like support, please contact MandatedStandards@stats.govt.nz.

Data standard for ethnicity

The Standards team at Stats NZ is currently reviewing the Statistical standard for ethnicity. The review will include the standard, classification, concept, and questionnaire module(s) to ensure it is fit for purpose. Once the review is complete, which is currently planned for mid-late 2023, the standard will progress to the endorse and mandate phase of the mandated standards process. Additionally, the name will change to Data standard for ethnicity to reflect the broader purpose of the standard.

The current version of the ethnicity standard is available on Ariā.

Statistical standard for ethnicity

Data standards for Māori descent and iwi and iwi related groups

The Standards team at Stats NZ is currently reviewing the statistical standards for Māori descent and iwi and iwi related groups. The review will include the standards, concepts, definitions, collection, question modules, Māori descent classification, and output. Once the review is complete, which is currently planned for mid-late 2023, the standards (or standard) will progress to the endorse and mandate phase of the mandated standards process. Additionally, it’s likely that the name(s) will change from statistical standards to data standards to reflect the broader purpose of the standards.

The current versions of the Māori descent and iwi and iwi related groups standards are available on Ariā.

Statistical standard for Māori descent

Statistical standard for iwi and iwi related groups

Contact us 

If you have any feedback on the Data standard for Māori business, please email Maori.business.definition@stats.govt.nz.

If you require more information on mandated standards or have a question, email MandatedStandards@stats.govt.nz.