Stats NZ invites expressions of interest to join a new Pacific Data Advisory Group. The Group will provide an opportunity for Pacific peoples, communities, and organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand to contribute directly to the design and planning of the next census, and initiatives that support its successful delivery.
On this page:
- Skills and experience
- Membership
- Secretariat support
- Remuneration
- Commitment
- Conflicts of interest and privacy
About the Group
Stats NZ invites expressions of interest from Pacific peoples with expertise and practical experience in working with data, Pacific cultural knowledge, Pacific data governance, or Pacific research to join the Pacific Data Advisory Group.
The Group provides an opportunity for Pacific peoples to contribute directly to the design, planning, and implementation of the next census, as Stats NZ moves to an admin-data-first census model, supplemented by annual surveying and tailored solutions.
The Group will ensure Pacific insights and aspirations can be incorporated across the broader statistical system with a focus on the next census design work.
In appointing members, Stats NZ will seek to achieve a collective balance that reflects the diversity of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This collective approach aligns with Pacific values and ensures Pacific perspectives help shape solutions that are more trusted, relevant, and enduring, while enabling a more efficient system response to Pacific data needs.
Establishment of the Group is part of a broader initiative by Stats NZ to establish community design groups with a range of partners and groups, including iwi Māori, Pacific, disabled, ethnic, rainbow, and homeless and transient communities.
Alongside Pacific community representatives, the Group will include government agency representatives. This will create a shared space where Pacific perspectives can contribute to system design questions that affect multiple agencies.
In addition, to recognise existing arrangements, representatives from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and the Pacific Data Sovereignty Network will be members of the Group.
Members of the Pacific community also belong to other communities. The Group will be formed alongside several other advisory groups for communities. Stats NZ will work to ensure an intersectional lens is applied across groups for interrelated topics and cross-community priorities.
The opportunity
The Group creates a structured and enduring pathway for Pacific expertise and perspectives to directly shape the statistical design of the census, and enable Stats NZ to better deliver to community, customer, and partner needs.
This can be done by contributing to design questions on how data is collected, analysed, interpreted, and classified, as well as how it is disseminated and applied.
The census is at a design stage where early and informed input makes the greatest difference.
By influencing the data we collect and how it is used, the Group will help ensure official statistics reflect what matters to Pacific peoples and support growing trust in the data system.
Role of the Group
The Group will complement existing relationships and work underway. The Group will bring together a broad mix of expertise, knowledge, and experience. Collectively, the membership will bring together Pacific data governance, statistical and data expertise, as well as Pacific cultural knowledge.
Advice from the Group will inform design decisions across the census programme, including in Stats NZ governance.
Examples of the kinds of design questions the Group may consider include:
- how Pacific people's data might best be collected and reported in the census
- at what levels should Pacific ethnicity data be collected
- what methodologies can be used to ensure Pacific data is collected properly and meaningful outcomes are produced to reflect Pacific priorities
- how new and existing surveys can be strengthened to better measure what matters to Pacific people
- how data can better reflect distinct Pacific ethnic identities and smaller communities
- how methods can better capture intersectional experiences, including Pacific disabled people, MVPFAFF+ communities, youth, elders, and mixed-ethnicity Pacific people.
The Group is advisory and does not replace broader community engagement or consultation. Its mandate is to provide expert advice for Stats NZ to consider when designing the next census.
Stats NZ will provide feedback to the Group on how its advice has been considered and applied.
How to apply
People interested in becoming a member of the Group are invited to submit an expression of interest by Sunday 31 May 2026 - email to [email protected].
Your expression of interest should include:
- a cover letter (maximum two pages) explaining your interest in the Group, and the skills, knowledge, and experience you would bring
- a curriculum vitae (maximum four pages)
- name and contact details for two referees.
If you would like to be considered for chair, please indicate your interest and any relevant experience.
Applications are welcome in alternate formats. Please contact us if you would like to submit your application in an alternate format.
Selection process and indicative timeline
All applications will be assessed against the published criteria , taking into account the balance of skills, knowledge, and perspectives needed across the Group as a whole. Shortlisting will include referee checks.
Final appointments will be confirmed by the Government Statistician and Stats NZ Chief Executive, ensuring the Group has both the right expertise and representation to carry out its role effectively.
- Expressions of interest close: Sunday 31 May 2026.
- Shortlisting and referee checks: June 2026.
- Final appointments confirmed: Late June 2026.
- Induction and first meeting: July 2026.
Information for applicants
Skills and experience
The Group will bring together a balance of technical and cultural expertise, lived experience, and regional perspectives, ensuring advice reflects Pacific interests across diverse areas.
Members are not expected to have all these skills individually but, collectively, the Group will aim to cover the following areas. Due to the technical nature of the questions the Group will be asked to consider, some degree of familiarity with data, statistics, or research is required for all members.
Area |
Description |
Why it matters for the Group |
Statistical and data expertise |
Knowledge of official statistics, survey design and development, research methods, and integrated data systems |
Strengthens technical input into, for example, the census, integrated data, and data quality matters, while also supporting clear interpretation and articulation of findings |
Administrative and integrated data |
Experience working with administrative data, linked datasets, or integrated data systems |
Helps assess risks, opportunities, and limitations of an admin data-first census model |
Pacific data governance experience |
Experience in collecting, analysing, interpreting, and working with Pacific data |
Provides leadership on how Pacific data should be governed, managed, and protected |
Pacific cultural expertise |
Experience in advising and teaching Pacific cultural knowledge. A sound knowledge of multiple Pacific groups is recommended |
Provides specific Pacific perspectives to the conversations and the advice that will be given |
Pacific academic and research expertise |
Experience in conducting Pacific research and applying Pacific methodologies and frameworks to complicated scenarios |
Provides expert advice on Pacific methodologies and frameworks used in academia and research when collecting and analysing Pacific data |
Regional and community leadership |
Pacific leadership insights from across different regions and communities within Aotearoa |
Ensures that advice is provided by people who have led Pacific communities and, most importantly, people who understand Pacific communities and their needs |
Cross-sector knowledge |
Insights and experiences from across different sectors, such as health, education, environment, and economy |
Ensures a diversity of Pacific views and knowledge is considered from different sectors |
Data ethics and privacy |
Experience or knowledge of data ethics, governance, privacy, or safe data use |
Supports safe and considered census design, particularly when dealing with potentially sensitive personal information |
Governance and leadership |
Prior board, advisory, or governance experience |
Supports strong group process, accountability, and high-quality collective advice |
Policy and system design |
Understanding of Crown policy processes and legislative settings |
Helps align Group advice with government decision-making pathways |
Equity and inclusion |
Experience advancing equity for Pacific and other under-served groups |
Ensures census measures and design choices reflect Aotearoa New Zealand's diversity |
Partnership and collaboration |
Demonstrated ability to work across government and community boundaries |
Builds trust and effective engagement in a partnership context |
Membership
Up to 12 members, including a chair, will be appointed for an initial term of two or three years, with the option of being reappointed for up to two further two-year terms to support continuity of membership. The term length for each member will be confirmed through the appointment process.
The Group will include a maximum of four public service representatives, with the balance made up of Pacific community and non-government representatives.
The chair will be confirmed by the Government Statistician and Stats NZ Chief Executive once members have been appointed, with details of that process to be worked through with members at the time. This ensures the chair has both the endorsement of the Group members and the formal recognition required under the Cabinet Fees Framework.
Members will confirm the Group's terms of reference with Stats NZ, ensuring shared ownership of how the Group operates and clarity around its role, responsibilities, and ways of working.
Pacific values and ways of working will be developed collectively by members, ensuring Pacific expectations and practice guide how the Group operates.
In assessing applications, Stats NZ will seek to find a balance that ensures the group is reflective of Aotearoa New Zealand's diverse Pacific communities and experiences.
Secretariat support
The Group will be supported by a secretariat within Stats NZ. Members will receive induction, training, and agenda packs to support their role.
Remuneration
Members will be remunerated in line with the Cabinet Fees Framework. Where members are already funded by Stats NZ in their roles, or by other government agencies, additional fees will not be paid. All members will have reasonable travel and accommodation costs reimbursed.
Commitment
The Group is expected to meet approximately six times per year, using a mix of in-person and online meetings. In-person meetings are likely to be full-day, and online meetings are likely to be half-day.
Members should also allow for preparation time and occasional input between meetings. Non-government members will be remunerated for preparation time and out-of-cycle input.
Conflicts of interest and privacy
Applicants will be asked to disclose actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest. All information will be used only for assessment purposes and held securely by Stats NZ. You have the right to request access to, and correction of, your information.
