About CensusAtSchool NZ
Real, Relevant Student Data
CensusAtSchool – TataurangaKiTeKura brings statistics to life for Year 3–13 students. Every two years, students across Aotearoa New Zealand take part in a national online educational survey during class, collecting real data about their lives, experiences, and opinions.
Rather than learning statistics from made-up examples, students work with data collected by students like them. They can explore their own class results, compare them with data from students across the motu, and use authentic data to investigate questions that matter to them.
CensusAtSchool helps students:
- Build statistical literacy by working with real, relevant data.
- Understand how data is collected and why good data matters to society.
- Develop statistical inquiry skills by asking questions, analysing data, and drawing conclusions.
- Explore large national datasets that provide opportunities for meaningful classroom investigations across the curriculum.
- Develop a positive attitude toward statistics through engaging, real-life data.
- Build confidence with technology and data through an engaging, practical learning experience.
A national educational project
CensusAtSchool NZ is a non-profit education project hosted by the Department of Statistics at the University of Auckland, in association with Stats NZ and the Ministry of Education.
The international CensusAtSchool initiative began in the UK in 2000, inspired by a 1990 New Zealand pilot led by Professor Sharleen Forbes. New Zealand is proud to be part of a global CensusAtSchool network that has included Australia, Canada, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, the USA, and the UK.
Take part in the 2025–26 CensusAtSchool survey
Schools can take part any time from 25 February 2025 to 30 November 2026, during school hours.
The survey is available in English and Te Reo Māori, with questions tailored to different year levels:
- Years 3–8: English and Te Reo Māori
- Years 9–13: English and Te Reo Māori
- See participating schools
- View the live dashboard
How the data is used
After taking part, teachers receive their class data to use for classroom learning and statistical investigations. The national CensusAtSchool dataset is also available through the website, allowing students and teachers to explore samples and summary statistics.
The dataset is provided for teaching and learning purposes. Use of the data is subject to our terms and conditions.
CensusAtSchool takes the privacy and security of student data seriously. All collected data is anonymous, confidential, and securely stored. The Ministry of Education, Stats NZ, and other third parties do not have access to the full database.
Media enquiries
Rachel Cunliffe
CensusAtSchool Co-Director
hello@censusatschool.org.nz
027 3833 746
Our team
Rachel Cunliffe
Anne Patel
Pip Arnold
Chris Wild
Maxine Pfannkuch
Media updates
Join our media list for press releases and important announcements:
