8 Nov 2022

Disinformation could undermine next year's census

From Morning Report, 7:09 am on 8 November 2022

Fake websites, disinformation and anti-government sentiment are key risks that could undermine next year's Census.

The new threats are emerging several months  after the Parliament protests.

Ministerial briefings identify 16 key risks and show Stats NZ is engaged in attempts at myth-busting and managing disinformation.

The department cannot afford another poor census, after botch ups in both 2018 and 2013 - but it looks like it already has a cost blowout on its hands.

Phil Pennington is looking into this and spoke to Māni Dunlop.